Blog - SMART Centre Group

Innovations at SMART Symposium

February 2019

Some 24 people from 6 countries participated in the SMART symposium of November 2018 in Mzuzu, Malawi.

A large number of innovative, low-cost WASH technologies and approaches were demonstrated and several participants said: “this is a real eye opener !”.

Presentations included:

The Jacana method from Zambia by SMART Centre Zambia
Smart water solutions for agriculture, by SNV in Kenya.
Faith & Water and Well clubs, by SMART Centre Malawi
“Uility approach” with water filters, Ethiopia
Self-supply experiences by Sally Sutton.

A report and pictures of the Symposium can be accessed here.

All presentations can be downloaded from the website www.smartcentremalawi.com or send a mail to info@smartcentregroup.com

SMART Symposium in Malawi November 13 – 16

In November 2018, MetaMeta, Aqua for All, SNV and the SMART Centres will organise the SMART Symposium to share lessons learnt in WASH and rural development from the past 25 years. In this period over 10 million people have benefited from SMARTechs. Read More

Video: The Mzuzu Drill

Ideas to reach “The hard to reach”

Read full paper at;

09-07-2018
At the WEDC Conference in Kenya, Rik Haanen of the Jacana SMART Centre presented a bold approach to provide affordable and highly sustainable water supply for small rural communities by means of Family wells.

SMART Centre Alumni: Meet Mr. Gondwe from Ekwendeni, Malawi, a.k.a. “Mr. Feces”

Overview Paper: The Effect of Tube Recharge on Local Groundwater Tables and Well Water Levels

“Tube recharge” is a simple and low-cost method to recharge groundwater. It takes inspiration from Indian recharge technologies, but it is simpler and cheaper. Tube recharge has been implemented in Tanzania, Mozambique, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Nicaragua and has shown promising results. This paper provides an overview of the principles behind construction and working of tube recharge systems. Read More >>

SMART Centre- Pitch Video

SMART Centres meet in Malawi. March 2018

We look back on a fruitfull meeting of 5 SMART Centres in Mzuzu. Discussions ranged from Family Based Management of rural handpumps to monitoring with the online tool mWater. We saw some 25 innovative water and sanitation technologies on de exposition area of the CCAP SMART Centre and had field visits to pump users, a drilling company and to Mr. Gondwe who runs a sanitation business. He inspired us with the use of urine and feces that makes his vegetable garden flourish.

SMART Centre approach featured in ‘Deal Book’

On the 22nd of March, during World Water Day, a new joint publication of the 3R group was launched: Reaching the millions – investment profiles to achieve 3R impact. It clearly makes a case why it is not only worth the investment to put money in water harvesting, it is urgent.

CAWST and SCG joint blog

The SMART Centre Group and CAWST have joined hands in writing up key lessons on training and capacity building through local WASH centres of expertise. We foresee this to be the start of a long term cooperation endeavour between the two organisations. Read the whole article here.