In alignment with the Government of Zambia’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and Goal 13 (Climate Action), ECHO has partnered with the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, working through local authorities and key stakeholders to restore vital water infrastructure in rural communities. Since 2020, ECHO has led the rehabilitation of non-functional boreholes across 10 districts in Central Province and 6 districts in Western Province, ensuring access to safe and sustainable water sources for thousands of people.

With generous support from partners including CO2balance, Village Water UK, and Just a Drop, ECHO successfully rehabilitated 853 boreholes in Central Province and 520 in Western Province between 2020 and 2023, benefiting over 396,000 people. As part of the #StopTheRot campaign, all rehabilitated boreholes are upgraded using durable UPVC piping, enhancing the longevity and resilience of the infrastructure.

Beyond rehabilitation, ECHO remains committed to long-term sustainability. We conduct routine community visits to monitor all 1,373 boreholes, carry out water quality testing, facilitate hygiene behavior change sessions, and respond to maintenance needs within 72 hours of receiving a fault report—ensuring that communities continue to have uninterrupted access to clean water. Boreholes are also equipped with analogue water meters to track usage and inform ongoing maintenance and planning.

These efforts not only provide clean and safe water to underserved rural communities, but also contribute to climate change mitigation. With reduced reliance on firewood for boiling drinking water—traditionally used as a purification method—communities lower their carbon emissions and help preserve surrounding ecosystems. By preventing the use of unsafe water sources and promoting sustainable practices, ECHO’s work is directly improving public health and advancing environmental stewardship in some of Zambia’s most vulnerable regions.