Standpipes
Left unserved by local government and large mainstream safe water enterprises, we typically serve remote widespread communities. For these communities, long water walks are a reality, despite a communal water source. To diminish their water burden, we have developed and deployed sustainable standpipes to cut collection times and long queues to fetch water.
​
Standpipes can expand the service area of a central water source, such as an elevated water storage tank. The new standpipe solution now enables us to serve larger communities, with populations exceeding 1,500. They are a cost-effective network addition, bringing down the cost to unlock safe water access per person.
​
Water can be sourced from either a borewell or a river and pumped into an elevated tank after undergoing the necessary filtration. The safe water is fed to the standpipes by gravity, creating a rural water hub and spoke system. As a result, continuing to follow our core ethos, we can reach those families that are currently being forgotten, leaving no one behind.
Secure Collection via E-payment
​
Each Project Maji standpipe structure is fitted with a solar-powered cashless payment system that can support dispensing via three independent taps. This design kills two birds with one stone; long waiting times and financial sustainability, which in turn ensures functionality and prevents early breakdowns. As with conventional communal water points and handpumps in general, non-functionality is a serious issue to address. With the money collected through the e-pay modules, we secure water revenue in a dedicated account, accessible for future repairs and maintenance. In case the water service is disrupted, the funds allow us to restore operations at short notice. But critically, it also builds community trust and reliance on Maji outlets, positively impacting the willingness to pay.