Design and installation of a hybrid water transmission system:

Abstract

The Busitema water supply system was installed in 1971, comprised of three electrically- powered boreholes delivering into a common 4” galvanized iron pipe that fed a 120 m 3 pressed steel storage tank. However, borehole BH 4133 delivering 4.63 m 3 /h developed a mechanical failure of the pump due to silting and corrosion of the 3” GI pipes which cut off the supply to the tank. The University failed to meet the high maintenance and operational costs incurred and decided to change the design of the borehole to the hand pump which has posed a big challenge in supply to sanitary facilities within the university premises. Currently the university is supplied by National Water and Sewerage Corporation of 7 m 3 /day and one existing borehole as the main water sources to meet the water demand at the campus (students and university staff). However national water is unreliable and costly and one existing borehole has failed to supply enough water to fully meet the demands of the increasing population due to power outages. This has therefore led to poor sanitation and hygiene.