In Burkina Faso, having a water well or borehole does not always guarantee continuous access to clean water. Due to a lack of maintenance, qualified technicians, or readily available spare parts, some water infrastructure remains out of service for several days or even longer. To address this issue, social enterprise Eau Vive WASH Services officially launched its operations in Ouagadougou on October 29, 2026. The company aims to reduce the repair time for broken pumps to 24 hours by combining local expertise, circular economy principles, and financial viability.
Access to clean water remains a significant challenge for communities, particularly in rural areas of Burkina Faso. Despite investments from the government, non-governmental organizations, and their partners in water infrastructure, sustaining these investments over time is difficult. The launch of Eau Vive WASH Services aims to address these challenges. The company's approach focuses on ensuring the long-term maintenance, repair, and sustainable management of water infrastructure. This approach is crucial in areas where communities struggle with accessing clean water due to technical issues, inadequate maintenance, and remote locations of spare part suppliers.
The creation of Eau Vive WASH Services is a response to the challenges faced in maintaining water infrastructure. According to Jean Bosco Bazié, president of the company's orientation council, despite efforts to provide communities with water infrastructure, maintenance remains a significant challenge, especially in villages far from urban centers. The company's establishment is based on the realization that local actors must be more involved in maintaining water infrastructure. Developing local competencies and providing appropriate technical and logistical means are essential.
One of the significant challenges in maintaining water pumps is the availability of spare parts. In some areas, a minor fault can leave a pump out of service for several days simply because the necessary spare part is not readily available. Eau Vive WASH Services aims to address this issue by establishing a network of spare part shops and training local artisans to repair water infrastructure. By doing so, the company hopes to reduce intervention times and prevent communities from being without clean water for extended periods due to technical faults.
Eau Vive WASH Services will initially focus on the provinces of Ganzourgou and Zoundwéogo, where there are 4,400 water infrastructure sites. The company plans to develop its model in these areas before considering expansion to other territories. The goal is to make this experience a reference point that can be replicated in other countries in the sub-region. By involving local communities and promoting economic development, Eau Vive WASH Services aims to have a positive impact on both the social and economic aspects of the regions it operates in.
The company's approach is built around the principles of social and economic impact. Its activities include supporting the management of clean water services, installing and maintaining solar-powered pumps, and repairing, recycling, and reusing equipment. Eau Vive WASH Services also plans to contribute to local economic development by recruiting and training local artisans. This comprehensive approach is designed to ensure the sustainability of water infrastructure and promote community development.
Salomon Zongo, operational manager of Eau Vive WASH Services, emphasizes the importance of having spare parts readily available to ensure the success of the company's approach. To achieve this, Eau Vive WASH Services has initiated a model for managing spare part shops to provide communities with easy access to necessary components. By reducing pump repair times and promoting local economic development, the company aims to make a lasting impact on access to clean water in Burkina Faso.
Key points
- Eau Vive WASH Services aims to reduce pump repair time to 24 hours by establishing a network of spare part shops and training local artisans.
- The company will initially focus on the provinces of Ganzourgou and Zoundwéogo, with plans to expand to other territories.
- Eau Vive WASH Services promotes local economic development by recruiting and training local artisans and contributing to the sustainability of water infrastructure.
