Conservation

by Jonathan Coleman, Pensa, Burkina Faso

There is no official conservation of water in Pensa, but I'm working on a project that will, hopefully, raise awareness of the need for conservation. Most families have a douche (doosh), a small concrete or mud-brick area where they wash themselves. Most of the time, the used water just evaporates from the concrete dirt floor of the douche. But if you dig a simple, small garden next to it, then you can easily use the runoff to sustain a supply of extra food for your family or sell it at a market.

by Jenelle Norin, Safane, Burkina Faso

In general, water is used only when needed; little is wasted. Water is often recycled, especially during the dry season. For example, water used for washing clothes will then be used to flush the toilets.

During the rainy season, there is really no need to conserve water. The wells are full and the ground is always wet.