Rural water supply: volunteers deliver a sustainable solution

The rural community of Tenganan in eastern Bali, Indonesia has been suffering crippling water shortages for years. However, the 4000 locals developed a conceptual water supply solution and then asked an engineering charity for technical assistance to develop this to construction stage along with their own capability to build and manage it. This paper discusses the innovative aspects of the project since its inception in December 2006, including the use of external and in-country design teams to provide access to an extensive international network of engineering resources and experienced volunteers. The project aims to produce a successful ‘bottom-up’ development action that will deliver a sustainable solution.