The Gezira irrigation scheme in Sudan is one of the largest in Africa and contains over 1,200 unregistered and illegal villages that are home to immigrant agricultural workers. The majority have no source of clean domestic water supply, frequently relying on nearby irrigation water for all their needs. Over 50 per cent of the population are infected with schistosomiasis and other water-borne diseases. This paper examines the problems in one such village, Taweel, and suggests options for improving the supply. After discussing the physical and institutional environment governing water supply, the paper reviews the status of other water supply schemes in the area. It shows that many are in a poor condition because of lack of funding, insufficient staff and poor consideration of operation and maintenance. A review of possible water supply options suggests three possible solutions: a pipeline from a borehole in a nearby village; simple treatment of the irrigation water flowing through the village; and the construction of an infiltration gallery in a nearby main irrigation canal. The paper concludes that there is insufficient information available to make a final decision on the best option but the proposals can form the foundation for further data collection and stakeholder consultation.

Henri, S., Chevillard, C., Mirgani, A., Paris, P., Gaudart, J. Camilla, C. Dessien, H. Montero, F. Elwali, NMA. Saeed, O.K., Magzoub, M. Dessien, A.J. (2002) ‘Cytokine regulation of periportal fibrosis in humans infected with Schistosoma mansoni’, The Journal of Immunology 169(2): 929-36.

Al Awad, A.A., Mohammed, Y.A. and El Tayeb, S.A. (1985) The Impact of Improved Rural Water Supplies on the Environment, The United Nations University, Tokyo.

Babiker, A., Fenwick, A., Dafalla, A.A., Amin, M.A. (1985) ‘Focality and seasonality of Schistosoma mansoni transmission in Gezira irrigated area’, Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 88: 57-63.

Hassan, Ehab (2007) Drinking Water Supply in Wad Medani, Msc thesis, Gezira University, Medani, Sudan.

Helm, S.M. (1998) Infiltration Galleries: The Forgotten Source, MSc research project, WEDC, Loughborough University, UK.

IRC (1991) Partners in Progress: An Approach to Sustainable Piped Water Supplies, technical paper series 28, The Hague, The Netherlands.

IRC (2001) Keep it Working: A Field Manual to Support Community Management of RWS, IRC technical paper series 36, Delft, The Netherlands.

MOIWR (2007) Technical Specifications: Water Supply Systems and Building for the Staff Houses and Offices, Gezira Scheme Rehabilitation Project, Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources, Medani, Sudan.

Ooemen, J., Wolf, J. and Jobin, W. (1999) Health and Irrigation, ILRI publication 45, Vol 1, The Netherlands.

Omer, M.K. (1983) The Geology of the Nubian Sandstone Formation in the Sudan, Geological and Mineral Resources department, The Ministry of Energy and Mining, Sudan.

UNEP (1998) Sourcebook of Alternative Technologies for Freshwater Augmentation in Small Island Developing States, Technical Publication Series, No. 8 E, UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre, Osaka, Japan.

WHO (2004) Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality, volume 1, Recommendations, World Health Organization, Geneva, 3rd edition.

WHO (2005) Emergency Treatment of Drinking Water at Point of Use, WHO Technical Notes for Emergencies, No. 5, WEDC, Loughborough University, UK.

Younis (2001) Remodelling of Managil Main Canal, Hydraulic Research Station Report, Medani, Sudan.

Henri, S., Chevillard, C., Mirgani, A., Paris, P., Gaudart, J. Camilla, C. Dessien, H. Montero, F. Elwali, NMA. Saeed, O.K., Magzoub, M. Dessien, A.J. (2002) ‘Cytokine regulation of periportal fibrosis in humans infected with Schistosoma mansoni’, The Journal of Immunology 169(2): 929-36.

Al Awad, A.A., Mohammed, Y.A. and El Tayeb, S.A. (1985) The Impact of Improved Rural Water Supplies on the Environment, The United Nations University, Tokyo.

Babiker, A., Fenwick, A., Dafalla, A.A., Amin, M.A. (1985) ‘Focality and seasonality of Schistosoma mansoni transmission in Gezira irrigated area’, Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 88: 57-63.

Hassan, Ehab (2007) Drinking Water Supply in Wad Medani, Msc thesis, Gezira University, Medani, Sudan.

Helm, S.M. (1998) Infiltration Galleries: The Forgotten Source, MSc research project, WEDC, Loughborough University, UK.

IRC (1991) Partners in Progress: An Approach to Sustainable Piped Water Supplies, technical paper series 28, The Hague, The Netherlands.

IRC (2001) Keep it Working: A Field Manual to Support Community Management of RWS, IRC technical paper series 36, Delft, The Netherlands.

MOIWR (2007) Technical Specifications: Water Supply Systems and Building for the Staff Houses and Offices, Gezira Scheme Rehabilitation Project, Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources, Medani, Sudan.

Ooemen, J., Wolf, J. and Jobin, W. (1999) Health and Irrigation, ILRI publication 45, Vol 1, The Netherlands.

Omer, M.K. (1983) The Geology of the Nubian Sandstone Formation in the Sudan, Geological and Mineral Resources department, The Ministry of Energy and Mining, Sudan.

UNEP (1998) Sourcebook of Alternative Technologies for Freshwater Augmentation in Small Island Developing States, Technical Publication Series, No. 8 E, UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre, Osaka, Japan.

WHO (2004) Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality, volume 1, Recommendations, World Health Organization, Geneva, 3rd edition.

WHO (2005) Emergency Treatment of Drinking Water at Point of Use, WHO Technical Notes for Emergencies, No. 5, WEDC, Loughborough University, UK.

Younis (2001) Remodelling of Managil Main Canal, Hydraulic Research Station Report, Medani, Sudan.

Henri, S., Chevillard, C., Mirgani, A., Paris, P., Gaudart, J. Camilla, C. Dessien, H. Montero, F. Elwali, NMA. Saeed, O.K., Magzoub, M. Dessien, A.J. (2002) ‘Cytokine regulation of periportal fibrosis in humans infected with Schistosoma mansoni’, The Journal of Immunology 169(2): 929-36.

Al Awad, A.A., Mohammed, Y.A. and El Tayeb, S.A. (1985) The Impact of Improved Rural Water Supplies on the Environment, The United Nations University, Tokyo.

Babiker, A., Fenwick, A., Dafalla, A.A., Amin, M.A. (1985) ‘Focality and seasonality of Schistosoma mansoni transmission in Gezira irrigated area’, Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 88: 57-63.

Hassan, Ehab (2007) Drinking Water Supply in Wad Medani, Msc thesis, Gezira University, Medani, Sudan.

Helm, S.M. (1998) Infiltration Galleries: The Forgotten Source, MSc research project, WEDC, Loughborough University, UK.

IRC (1991) Partners in Progress: An Approach to Sustainable Piped Water Supplies, technical paper series 28, The Hague, The Netherlands.

IRC (2001) Keep it Working: A Field Manual to Support Community Management of RWS, IRC technical paper series 36, Delft, The Netherlands.

MOIWR (2007) Technical Specifications: Water Supply Systems and Building for the Staff Houses and Offices, Gezira Scheme Rehabilitation Project, Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources, Medani, Sudan.

Ooemen, J., Wolf, J. and Jobin, W. (1999) Health and Irrigation, ILRI publication 45, Vol 1, The Netherlands.

Omer, M.K. (1983) The Geology of the Nubian Sandstone Formation in the Sudan, Geological and Mineral Resources department, The Ministry of Energy and Mining, Sudan.

UNEP (1998) Sourcebook of Alternative Technologies for Freshwater Augmentation in Small Island Developing States, Technical Publication Series, No. 8 E, UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre, Osaka, Japan.

WHO (2004) Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality, volume 1, Recommendations, World Health Organization, Geneva, 3rd edition.

WHO (2005) Emergency Treatment of Drinking Water at Point of Use, WHO Technical Notes for Emergencies, No. 5, WEDC, Loughborough University, UK.

Younis (2001) Remodelling of Managil Main Canal, Hydraulic Research Station Report, Medani, Sudan.