Last week a visiting Rotarian asked that question. The answer is not straightforward. He was told $90.–. Let’s take a closer look, keeping in mind sustainability which is all important when planning and installing WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene)infrastructure. Worldwide statistics are shocking. On average less than 50% of WASH installations last two years.

Getting Water Right and Water for Cambodia (WFC) are dedicated to sustainability. So what is involved:

-Use available national or regional data to identify an area of critical need

-Meet with District, Commune, and Village leaders to gauge the political commitment

-Identify other needs such as wells, hygiene education, and latrines

-Test current water sources

-If the need is unclear conduct a “Knowledge, Attitude and Practices” (KAP) study

-Meet with each Village Chief to choose beneficiaries and then meet with the beneficiaries in a community meeting

-Meet with beneficiaries individually  to get a written commitment to use and maintain the BSF

-Manufacture and transport the filters, gravel, sand, and storage bottles to a secure location in the village

-After a pick-up day briefing, the villagers transport the filter home and the WFC team spends about an hour setting each filter up and clarifying its use

-During the first year each filter recipient is visited twice and all filters are inspected and 30% are water tested. In addition, a community hygiene meeting is conducted

In years two and four corrective action is taken when required. Village demographics are monitored as is other NGO activity

In years three and five water is tested at the point of use and corrective action is taken as needed. A community WASH meeting is held

All the tasks listed above are performed by trained WASH installers and community organizers.  Water testing, vehicle expenses, training aids, and dozens of other expenses need to be paid in the real world.

So a BioSand Filter costs $28.–but as part of a sustainable, responsible WASH program the cost will be around $100,– based on the variables.