Wa-ta from Bore Holes

The bore hole and hand-powered pump make-up one of the most valued assets in my neighbourhood. The pump embodies, in several ways, an ‘appropriate technology’. It directly addresses the very important need for water (in almost all cases, the water can be consumed right out of the ground). Its operation is easy and intuitive so it can be used by almost anyone. Its mechanical design is straightforward and thoughtful, which makes it very reliable. In the rare event that something breaks, there are locals who can repair the damage with their existing knowledge and resources. Although there are organizations that completely subsidize installation of the pump, many require that the local people financially contribute. This helps instil a sense of ownership, which is why I rarely see the equipment being misused. I’m not suggesting that the bore-hole/ hand-pump combination is a perfect solution in all cases, but it seems to be a success in my area.

At the moment, I’m living in a room that’s close to the neighbourhood’s pump. I’ve come to realize that it’s more than just a means to get water (by the way, Ghanaians generally pronounce water as ‘wa-ta’, and they find the Canadian pronunciation hilarious). It greatly contributes to a sense of community. From 4:30 am to midnight, there’s activity around the bore hole. It’s usually busiest shortly before and after dinner. The wait to use the pump turns into a social event, particularly for women and children. They’re constantly laughing, debating, discussing…sometimes, the kids will break into song and dance to pass the time.

Shortly after the school day ends, the bore hole's a little bit chaotic

Even walking to the pump strengthens the sense of community. Ghanaians generally value greetings. If someone's in plain sight, it can be considered rude to walk by without greeting them unless they’re complete strangers. During the stroll towards the pump, they have the opportunity to check-in with their neighbours on a daily basis. If someone is ill, everyone hears the news, and shortly thereafter, the community is there to provide support.

From a Canadian perspective, plumbing that delivers water directly into homes is perhaps a superior approach, one that is undeniably more convenient, less labour intensive, and less time consuming. However, if plumbing is introduced to my community, social changes may take place. Automatically, getting water will no longer be an important means of social interaction. What will happen to the sense of community, and existing social support network? Although the sense of community is not rooted exclusively in the bore hole, I feel that the hypothetical plumbing scenario raises questions regarding technological ‘advancement’. Is the appropriateness of a technological solution only in the characteristics of the technology itself (ease of operation, reliability, ease of repair etc.)? How does social appropriateness fit into the picture?

One last thing…I have a new found appreciation for water conservation. Using one bucket of water a day has put my water-indulgence back home into perspective.