WAWI countries include Mali, Niger, and Ghana .

Envisioned by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and launched in late 2002, the West Africa Water Initiative (WAWI) is a $42 million partnership among 11 major public and private institutions, each possessing broad strengths and international reach. WAWI aims to address the interconnectedness of clean water, human health, and socioeconomic advancement in the underdeveloped West African nations of Ghana, Mali, and Niger. The Desert Research Institute (DRI) in Nevada, with scientists from research facilities in both Reno and Las Vegas, is among the major participating organizations. In addition to the Hilton Foundation and DRI, other major organizations involved in WAWI include World Vision International; U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); United Nations International Emergency Children’s Fund (UNICEF); WaterAid; Cornell University; Winrock International; Lions Clubs International; World Chlorine Council; and Helen Keller International.

West Africa Water Initiative (WAWI) announced on eve of World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, August 20, 2002. DRI’s President, Dr. Stephen Wells, is third from left.   Source: www.hiltonfoundation.org/press_release_details.asp?id=11, 11/3/05.

WAWI was founded to improve access to clean water and sanitation in the West African countries of Ghana, Mali, and Niger. The rural poor of these countries have suffered the devastating effects of severe water shortages, famine, and widespread disease over the past 30-plus years. Since its launch, the global alliance of WAWI has been drilling wells, installing treadle pumps, constructing latrines, supporting small-scale agriculture, and promoting an integrated, sustainable water resource management system in these nations. Further, WAWI aims to reduce, if not eliminate, by 2008 the incidence of blinding trachoma and Guinea worm infection (dracunculiasis) in the three targeted countries. To this end, WAWI is promoting improved sanitation and hygiene behavior among rural inhabitants in vulnerable villages through rigorous training in these areas.  

WAWI partners view water as the single, most essential commodity needed to achieve sustainable levels of rural development in Ghana, Mali, and Niger. The seven-year goal is to establish 450 new wells in Ghana, 200 new wells in Mali, and 175 new wells in Niger by 2008. The DRI effort is being led by Alan McKay, associate research hydrogeologist, who is working with DRI’s President, Dr. Stephen Wells, and the WAWI team members, including Jim Thomas, Michael Young, and Tim Minor; graduate research assistants Alexandra Lutz, Daniel Bansah, and Stephen Ofosu; and technologists Mary Ohren and Ron Petersen. This group is working to develop a network of water sources to ensure availability of clean water within the three African nations. DRI researchers are working from their laboratories in Nevada, as well as through frequent in-country visits.

DRI researchers pose outside the World Vision International District Office in Gushiegu, Ghana, with Ghanian hydrologists and laboratory technicians in October 2002.

DRI’s involvement in the search for potable water in West Africa actually began in the early 1990s. Models of groundwater systems were developed with remote-sensing and geographic information system (GIS) technologies integrated with hydrologic and geographic data. These models were used successfully to predict the occurrence and distribution of groundwater sources, leading to more efficient well-siting strategies. Consequently, well-drilling success rates in certain parts of Ghana have increased from 30% to 70%. DRI researchers also have relied on ground surveys and aerial photographs to pinpoint the best well-drilling locations. Training local hydrologists and laboratory technicians in the science of locating groundwater sources is a crucial component of DRI’s effort in support of WAWI objectives. In addition to supporting graduate research opportunities for numerous West African colleagues, DRI hosted Ghanian hydrogeologist Jarvis Ayamsegna at the Northern Nevada Science Center in Reno where he received advanced training in laboratory techniques and water-treatment technologies during the summer of 2005. DRI is providing in-country guidance and assistance to local water personnel in water-quality evaluation and analysis, as well as sampling and handling techniques. Educating community members to maintain their own water supplies is fundamental in sustaining WAWI objectives. Laboratory capabilities are being surveyed to determine where building in-country capabilities would be beneficial. In addition, inter-laboratory comparisons are being conducted to verify that analytical procedures are correct and consistent and results are reliable. DRI also is working with another WAWI partner, Winrock International, to teach villagers to use small-scale drip irrigation techniques to support family gardens and micro-farming during the dry season.