Water

I know that we have continuously harped and languished over this tired point but, as it is particularly important to the subject of this post, let it be re-iterated; Ghana is hot. Subsequently water, especially at EDYM Village, is as precious as gold and almost as difficult to come by. The Farm does not have running water and must satisfy its various needs in a number of ways.

Drinking water, or “Pure Water”, comes from large purification stations and is distributed in individual 500 mL sachets (essentially a ½ L of water vacuumed sealed in plastic). This water is not free but definitely isn’t expensive at something like 5 cents a bag and, I can only assume, discounted when bought in bulk. The water is accessed by biting one corner and not-so-simply (there is an art to it) drinking from the bag. This method of distributing clean water replaced the environmental hazard of bottled water about 4 years ago and the public has quickly adapted (the empty sachets littering the ground everywhere stand both as evidence of this and a new waste issue). Anne and I go through about 2-3L of water a day - more when it’s hot - and are always in a state of semi-fear of running out.

Watering water (for the plants) comes from the reservoir: a large hole roughly the size of a private swimming pool dug in the middle of the EDYM grounds. This reservoir is fed by two large drainage pipes that direct the somewhat-organized pooling of rainwater from the surrounding area into the pit. This water is reclaimed by means of a one-bucket bucket brigade that consists of Chachu and myself.

Water used to shower and, I think, cook and wash dishes comes from two sources. The first is the numerous water barrels and drum cans strategically situated at the end of eaves troughs to catch the rainwater runoff from the various roofs at EDYM. When this supply is exhausted Paul must collect a group of locals and ‘hire’ his friend Constant’s pickup truck to make at least 3 trips to the nearby river Dayi that feeds into Lake Volta. The river is murky and still, offering little to convince me of its quality, and standing knee-deep filling jerry cans I can’t stop thinking about Bilharzia; the fact that Chachu drinks the water doesn’t go a long way to calming my nerves. The refilling process requires a series of tiring trips to and from the riverside up a 10m path carrying buckets and jerry cans. The whole process is grueling and definitely instilled in me a more prudent awareness of any wasted water at the farm.

Pump water comes, remarkably, from a hand-operated pump over a concrete-capped borehole and is only relied upon when the reservoir dries up. This method of acquiring water is reserved as a last resort as it costs money, is about ½ km away, and entails taxing work – namely Chachu and me rolling the water barrel back to the farm (or rather, me rolling the barrel while Chachu walks or pretends to help). This work involves me, some local kid, and rarely Chachu working a semi-efficient pump while a group of local ladies sit around and laugh at me.

There is a pumping station just outside Kpeve, though it looks more like a military bunker than a headworks. I can only guess that the few places in the area that do have running water are supplied by this facility but I have no idea how they pay for it or the layout of the distribution grid, if there even is one.

If there is any other way to get water we have yet to be shown it. Most of the time the ground is bone dry and baked so mercilessly that it cracks.

- Sam