Bikoro Hospital Water Supply Project

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Total Project Cost: $121,079

Project Location: Bikoro General Hospital, located in Equateur Province along Lake Tumba in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Project & Program Background

The Bikoro Hospital Water Supply Project emerged after an assessment conducted at the request of the Daughters of Charity. Built in 1953, the hospital serves as the primary referral center for communities surrounding Lake Tumba but currently operates without electricity and without a reliable water source. Rainwater harvesting provides only limited supply, and two previous NGO-drilled boreholes have failed. A dependable and autonomous water system is urgently needed to support patient care, infection prevention, and overall hospital operations.

Community Background

Bikoro Hospital serves patients from 58 surrounding forest and lakeside villages, with a catchment population of over 7,500 people. These communities rely on small health posts for basic care and send complicated cases—including maternal emergencies, pediatrics, trauma, and infectious diseases—to Bikoro. Although designed for 120 beds, only 87 remain functional due to years of infrastructure limitations. The hospital plays a critical role in regional public health and has supported responses to previous Ebola outbreaks.

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Concerns

The hospital has no potable water and no electricity. Rainwater harvesting is insufficient and unreliable during dry seasons or high patient inflow. The failed boreholes, high turbidity in lake water, and lack of power for treatment systems leave the facility without a viable water source. These conditions compromise sterilization, handwashing, maternity care, hygiene, and infection prevention—posing risks to staff and patients.

Proposed Project

The project will provide a reliable, independent water system through:

Drilling and constructing a new lined (cased) well suited to local geology.
Installing perforated screens and durable concrete casings.
Installing a solar-powered submersible pump with elevated storage.
Strengthening existing rainwater harvesting capacity with improved storage and basic filtration.
Training hospital maintenance staff in routine operation and upkeep.
Construction is expected to take approximately eight weeks, depending on weather and logistics.

Sustainability Considerations

A properly lined well provides a long-term, low-maintenance water source. Solar pumping ensures reliable operation in the absence of grid electricity. Routine maintenance, water-quality checks, and trained personnel will support long-term function. Improved rainwater harvesting increases resilience during peak demand or dry periods while reducing pressure on the well.

Community Engagement

The Daughters of Charity, who manage the hospital, will coordinate on-site logistics and ensure staff involvement throughout implementation. Local technicians will participate in construction and receive training in maintenance and monitoring for long-term sustainability.