The 2017 World Water Week ran from August 27 to September 1, with the theme Water and Waste: Reduce and Reuse. This theme resonates with everyone at Daraja Academy, where all staff and students are extremely diligent with the water supply.

Two large underground tanks collect rainwater that feeds into five 10,000 litre water tanks, which are then used to service the main facilities. This water is treated with chlorine and used for drinking and washing dishes. Water from the nearby river fills four large water tanks, and this water is piped throughout the campus and used for bathing.

Daraja campus residents are careful to conserve as much water as possible. Buckets are used to catch excess water from taps, which is then used for washing clothes or cleaning.

During dry periods, the lack of river water and rain can be an issue. Chris Letting, Daraja’s Facilities Manager says, “when it is dry, there is a water problem in this area, especially from December to March. At that time, we use water from a borehole, and also get water from Nanyuki town.”

At Daraja Academy, the students experience first-hand the importance of a sanitary and sustainable water supply, and the practices required to ensure that it stays that way.