SOLARHEALTH BOREHOLE PUMP FOR HER: Empowering Community-Led Solar-Powered Carbon Filtration Reverse Osmosis Pump for Pregnant Women in hard-to-reach and underserved villages
Strengthening Public Health Systems Through Real-Time Sanitation Data and Community Surveillance
Sponsored By: The German Embassy, Freetown | Aion Health SL | DHMT - BO | Niagorehun Bargbo and Lowuma Village |
Date of Implementation: June 16 – August 17, 2026
Access to clean and safe drinking water remains a critical public health challenge in many rural communities in Sierra Leone. In underserved villages, pregnant women and children are often the most affected, facing daily exposure to contaminated water sources that contribute to maternal infections, anemia, diarrheal diseases, and preventable complications during pregnancy and childbirth. These risks significantly increase maternal and infant mortality and limit the overall wellbeing of families.
In response to this challenge, Aion Health SL, with generous support from the German Embassy in Freetown, implemented a solar-powered carbon filtration and reverse osmosis (RO) water pump project in Niagorehun Bargbo and Lowuma Village in Bo District. These remote communities previously relied on unsafe water sources such as streams and unprotected wells, forcing women to travel long distances—sometimes over an hour—just to access water that was often unsafe for consumption.
The solar-powered system uses renewable energy to operate a submersible pump that draws groundwater and passes it through a multi-stage purification process, including carbon filtration and reverse osmosis. This ensures the removal of pathogens, sediments, and harmful contaminants, providing continuous access to safe drinking water for households, maternal health clinics, schools, and the broader community.
This intervention directly supports maternal and newborn health by reducing exposure to waterborne diseases, improving hydration and nutrition during pregnancy, and promoting safe hygiene practices during antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care. Access to clean water near households and health facilities also reduces the physical burden on pregnant women and improves their ability to attend routine maternal health services.
To ensure sustainability and community ownership, local health workers and community members were trained on water safety, system maintenance, and hygiene promotion. A community water management committee was also established to oversee daily operations, promote responsible usage, and support long-term functionality of the system. Pregnant and lactating mothers were prioritized in early access arrangements, ensuring immediate impact for the most vulnerable groups.
The project has already reached more than 800 residents, including over 150 women of reproductive age, providing reliable daily access to clean water for households, schools, and maternal care services. Early observations indicate improved hygiene practices and a reduction in reported cases of waterborne illnesses and infection-related complications in the targeted communities.
This initiative reflects the commitment of Aion Health SL and its partners to climate-resilient and community-driven health solutions. By integrating renewable energy with advanced water purification technology, the project demonstrates how innovation can address long-standing public health challenges in rural settings while strengthening local capacity and resilience.
Looking ahead, Aion Health SL aims to scale this model to additional underserved communities, integrate water systems with maternal and child health outreach programs, and expand training for women-led water stewardship initiatives. This approach ensures that clean water access is not only a short-term intervention but a sustainable pathway toward improved health outcomes and community development.
Clean water is not a privilege—it is a fundamental requirement for safe pregnancies, healthy newborns, and thriving communities. Through continued investment in sustainable solutions, it is possible to reduce preventable maternal and child deaths and build a healthier future for all.
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Aion Health is a Sierra Leonean non-profit focused on improving health, education, and research to reduce maternal and infant deaths. It delivers free healthcare, medications, and education through mobile clinics to underserved communities, while prioritizing maternal health, disease prevention, WASH, and community awareness.
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