Behind the Scenes: What It Takes to Plan a Life-Changing Water Project

At Acts for Water, we know that every drop of water counts—and so does every step it takes to bring clean water to communities in need.

While the sight of fresh water flowing from a tap is the culmination of our efforts, the journey to get there is a long, detailed process requiring meticulous planning, collaboration, and resources.

Here’s an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the steps to clean water (all in 25 months or less).

Step 1: Laying the Groundwork – 2 months

The first step begins months before construction. Our team identifies communities in need through various sources: local districts, our roving engineering team, or direct outreach from the communities themselves.

Once a potential project area is pinpointed, our engineers conduct a detailed study to assess the water source’s variability throughout the year. This engineering report forms the foundation of our planning, ensuring the source can sustainably meet the community’s needs. Before we move forward, we formalize agreements with key stakeholders—local governments, community leaders, and residents—through a Memorandum of Understanding.

Step 2: Crafting the Blueprint – 1.5 months

Before the first pipe is laid, a comprehensive baseline study is conducted to assess the community’s water access, health conditions, and existing challenges. This step is crucial to designing a system tailored to the community’s needs.

Our engineers and local authorities work hand in hand to map the project, detailing where pipes, tanks, and taps will go. Hydrological surveys ensure we’ve selected the best and most sustainable water sources.

The result is a well-thought-out design that promises reliability and efficiency!

Step 3: Building Relationships and Ownership – 1 month throughout the entire journey

At Acts for Water, we believe that the success of a water project isn’t just about pipes and taps, it’s about relationships and trust. That’s because water is deeply personal. Therefore, engaging with the community is a critical part of the planning process, and often begins long before construction starts.

By hosting community meetings, we are able to discuss questions that help us understand how residents currently access water, the challenges they face, and their priorities for improvement.

These include asking how people currently collect water? What challenges do they face in accessing it? What role can the community play in maintaining the new system?

Importantly, the community contributes to the project by donating land for infrastructure, volunteering time for training, and providing thousands of hours of in-kind labor. This early involvement fosters a sense of ownership, laying the groundwork for long-term sustainability.

Water is not just a resource—it’s a shared responsibility.

Step 4: Securing the Resources – 6 months before implementation

A water project is as much about funding as it is about engineering.

From technical studies to construction materials, every aspect requires financial resources. We collaborate with donor partners, local governments, and supporters to secure the necessary funding, ensuring we can deliver water anda lasting impact.

Step 5: Turning Plans into Reality – 8 months

Construction is where the dream takes shape. Over several months, our team installs the pipes, tanks, and taps that will transform the community’s access to water. However, the process is rarely without challenges—unpredictable weather and supply chain delays often demand flexibility and quick thinking.

Alongside construction, the training of Water User Committees and system caretakers—local leaders who will oversee repairs and maintenance once the project is complete-takes place.

Step 6: Ensuring Quality – 6 months after taps on/handover

Before the taps are turned on and the first drop of water flows, the system is rigorously tested. From water quality to pressure and flow rates, every aspect is scrutinized to ensure the system meets our high standards. Community members are involved in inspections, ensuring the project aligns with their expectations.

Once testing is complete, the system is commissioned, and we celebrate this life-changing milestone with the community.

Step 7: Ongoing Support – Keeping the Water Flowing

The journey doesn’t end when the taps are turned on. Sustainability is at the heart of our work. We provide ongoing training and resources to local water committees, empowering them to manage repairs and maintain the system for years to come.

At Acts for Water Uganda, each step in this process is driven by our belief that clean water is a basic human right. Thanks to the support of our partners and communities, we’re not just building water systems—we’re building futures filled with health, hope, and opportunity.

Together, we’re turning dreams of clean water into a reality—one step, one community, one drop at a time.

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Ambrose Bigaba
Program Director, Acts Uganda