(Virtual Showroom): The completion of the solar borehole system in the Roots community, in Brits, located in South Africa’s North West province, spearheaded by pump supplier AxFlow AQS Liquid Transfer, has had a transformative impact on the lives of about 3 000 households.

This initiative, backed by various stakeholders, has provided a reliable and sustainable water source, addressing a critical need in the community, marketing manager Melani du Plessis says.

Since the installation, the solar-powered borehole has drastically improved the quality of life for the community, she explains, noting that previously, residents, particularly women, were forced to travel long distances to fetch water.

Now, with clean water available nearby, they can dedicate their time and energy to education, employment and other productive activities.

“This shift has empowered the community, enabling individuals to focus on personal development and contributing to a more productive and self-sufficient environment,” she says.

The borehole system supplies water to two 5 000-liter JoJo tanks, which provide a continuous, safe water supply to the area’s households. This has become the main source of water for drinking, cooking and sanitation, which Du Plessis says “significantly improves the residents' day-to-day lives”.

The community’s response to the project has been overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the project as a “dream come true”.

In addition to addressing water scarcity, the project has revitalised the local daycare centre's vegetable garden, which provides fresh produce to the children attending the daycare centre.

The garden is used as an education tool for the youth, Du Plessis says, highlighting that this teaches sustainable farming practices to the youth, as well as being very valuable to them from the perspective of the nutrition provided.

The Gateway Church has played a key role in supporting these efforts, providing valuable resources and assistance, Du Plessis says, highlighting that the community has been actively involved in the project from the outset, ensuring their needs were met and taking on key roles in maintaining the water infrastructure, Du Plessis notes.

Following a routine visit to the Roots community earlier this month, community members proudly shared the progress made on a field they have been diligently clearing. Their goal is to expand the small garden at the daycare centre into a full-scale vegetable garden for the entire community.

“We are excited to collaborate with them on this initiative, as it will provide more households with access to fresh produce,” says Du Plessis.

However, while the project has been a success, she notes that it faced several challenges during the implementation of its second phase, with ensuring the quality and safety of the extracted water being a major concern. This was subsequently addressed through rigorous testing to meet safety standards.

Logistical challenges, such as transporting materials for the solar borehole system, were managed through strong collaboration with local stakeholders, ensuring the timely delivery of resources, Du Plessis notes.

Further, sustainability has been a core focus throughout the project. Regular maintenance checks and the use of solar power have ensured the system’s long-term functionality, reducing operational costs and guaranteeing a continuous supply of water.

“Although there are no immediate plans for further expansion, AxFlow AQS Liquid Transfer is open to replicating this successful model in neighbouring communities facing similar challenges,” Du Plessis avers.

She attributes the success of the project to the contributions of several key partners, namely AxFlow AQS Liquid Transfer for providing the necessary equipment, including high-quality Vega pumps and solar panels, Water Pump Services for assisting with the installation, as well as Storge Petroleum, which sponsored the diesel needed for drilling, while Crystal Sun Drilling and Quality Drilling Supplies contributed expertise and materials essential to the project's success.

JVR Water Consultants also provided critical hydrogeological guidance.

With the ongoing support of stakeholders and the active involvement of residents, the project will continue to deliver sustainable, long-lasting benefits, Du Plessis concludes.