A partnership between MOSS Foundation and the Eswatini National Trust
In August of 2018, MOSS Foundation handed the completed, original Malanti Water Scheme over to the local community. The original Malanti project was a very large undertaking which included a very long distance of trenching to be completed as well as investment into a detailed water system with many tanks and other components. The Melanti Project has since remained an operational and invaluable asset to the Malanti community.
In March of 2021, an opportunity arose for MOSS Foundation to deliver another valuable water asset, an outdoor laundry and wash station. Some of us may take our laundries for granted but for the rural communities of Malanti, a designated wash station amounts to protected natural water way and longevity of the life blood that is the Melanti Wetlands as the regions water source.
Physical separation of water uses is a highly effective method to benefit the local community through outcomes such as cleaner drinking water, safer access to streams for washing, improved sanitation practice, improved crop yields, reduced human illness and improved cattle health. It also yields environmental benefits in better local water quality, reduced erosion and re-introduction of used waters into the ecosystem.
MOSS Foundation was keen to continue to support the local Malanti community and was successfully appointed to undertake the role of construction partner for a project being delivered by the Eswatini National Trust. MOSS Foundation was able to deliver the completed project to the community in June of 2021.
The completed wash station consists of two large concrete washing troughs and a pair of two double bay laundry sinks. The bigger sinks are often used to wash larger items such as bedding and blankets however for the small ones in the community, they can serve as the perfect spot to cool down! This is a local boy enjoying the trough on the project hand over day while his mother can comfortably wash the households items.
The concrete allows for the area to be clean and safe and not eroded by spilled water. Fencing prevents the wash station from being accessed and fouled but the local cattle and wildlife. An inline sand trap acts as a water overflow so that any unused water that is not extracted at the wash station will overflow back into to river and wetland ecosystem without causing contamination. Field stones then soak away used water to prevent erosion and flooding around the area while allowing the water to be reabsorbed into the ground.
MOSS is extremely proud to see the original Malanti Water Scheme continuing to serve the community and to have the opportunity to further enhance the scheme with addition of the new wash station facilities.