The villagers of Baoma obtain water from several springs and from a few private wells.  Well-to-do villagers ("bombas" in the Krio language) store water in elevated tanks and have gravity-fed water systems in their homes.  Most of the villagers obtain water from springs, either through a chaotic system of small-diameter pipes or else by carrying water in buckets.  The small-diameter pipes are frequently broken or cut, and much water is leaked from the pipe distribution system.

5.1.          DIORITE BEDROCK SPRINGS

The Habbour, Kamera, and West Side Springs all issue groundwater that has spent almost all of its residence time in the ground within bedrock, and these springs have little problem with potential pollution within the respective source areas.  These springs, referred to hereafter as the diorite bedrock springs, have very good chemical quality water, although they contain some coliform bacteria.

Habbour Spring 

Downstream from               Habbour Spring Catchment

Habbour Spring

The operation of the Habbour Spring is managed by Headman Eskay Ebomor.  Water from the Habbour Springs is distributed via pipe network from a concrete catchment to private homes and to five tap stands in the north side of the village.  Homes that receive piped water from the Habbour Spring are charged a connection fee and a monthly fee, although Eskay and his assistant, Moses Matu, are not always able to collect fees from users.  Slightly over an acre of land immediately upslope from the Habbour Spring has been designated for special protection, and no development is allowed in this area.

Kamera Spring

Pipe Distribution System below    Lower Kamera Spring Catchment

Kamera Spring

The Kamera Spring is owned and operated by Pastor Kamera.  Water from the Kamera Spring is distributed via pipe network from a series of concrete catchments to private homes.  Monthly user fees are charged for the water.  Water from the Kamera Spring is reportedly treated, although the efficacy of treatment was not evaluated by PSU EWB.  The land area upslope from the Kamera Spring is steep and undeveloped.

West Side Spring 

West Side Spring    Collecting water at West Side Spring

Motema Spring 

Motema Stream Valley    View of Baoma from the divide between Baoma Valley and Motema Valley

The Motema Spring vent was not visited.  The outflow channel (Motema Stream) at the location visited by PSU EWB has water chemistry similar to that of the diorite bedrock springs.  The discharge at the Motema Stream was approximately 100 gpm.  Based upon its position and other factors, it is likely that the Motema Stream is fed by one or more diorite bedrock springs.

Quarry Springs

A total of appoximately 5 gpm was observed flowing through the highwall through discrete fracture zones into the upper bench at the Quarry.  One person was observed collecting water into a tub at the base of the highwall.  This water could be captured, stored, and conveyed to tapstands in the south Village, where there are presently no public tapstands.

5.2           ALLUVIAL SPRINGS

Garden Spring

Garden Spring                        Garden Spring, drinking water spring vent

The highest-yield spring, the Garden Spring, has two main vents.  One vent is dedicated for drinking water supply, and one is dedicated for washing.  Both of the spring vents receive groundwater from beneath much of the village, and both appear to issue from the bottom of a gravelly streambed deposit.  Both of these vents are affected by the on-lot latrines, livestock, and other pollution sources. 

The Garden Spring is managed by headman James Ceci.  The drinking water vent is fenced, and rules to protect sanitary quality at thse spring vent are actively enforced.  At the time of the PSU EWB visit in December 2011 the drinking water vent was discharging approximately 40 gpm.  The washing water vent had a slightly lesser discharge rate, and also had a faint sulfurous odor.  No local rock or soil condition is known to cause a sulfurous odor, so the sulfurous odor was attributed to pollution from the village.  The Garden Spring was the only spring that was found to have a measurable level of nitrate-nitrogen (approximately 3 ppm) during the December 2011 EWB visit, which is consistent with contamination from latrine and livestock wastes in the village.

Although the water quality at the Garden Spring is inferior to that of the diorite bedrock springs, the flow at this spring is persistent throughout the dry season.  It is likely that the groundwater that is discharged at the Garden Spring originates from uncontaminated flow in multiple diorite bedrock fractures (similar to the individual diorite bedrock springs).  Groundwater flow from these multiple fractures converges at local, topographic low areas beneath the village, acquires bacterial and nutrient contaminants, and is discharged at the Garden Spring vents

5.3.           DUG WELLS

Some villagers have on-lot, dug wells.  Due to the prevalence and proximity of latrines, the sanitary quality of water from dug wells in the village is  poor.

5.4.          PURCHASED WATER

Many villagers purchase drinking water in 250-ml plastic bags.  Here are bundles of 25 bags in a store in Baoma.

Back to Table of Contents

Next:   6.0  Identified Water Supply Problems

Go to  9.0  Donations