Representatives from IRCWASH and SNV watching an Area Mechanic input real-time data into the mWater system
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FCDO Pilot Programme: Beyond Water Field Visit by SNV and IRCWASH

Pump Aid’s social enterprise, Beyond Water, welcomed representatives from SNV and IRCWASH on the 14th of July, 2025 for a field visit to see our work in action in rural Malawi.

SNV and IRCWASH are key partners collaborating with Water for People under the FCDO-funded Rural Water Management Pilot. The 5-year pilot, commissioned by the Ministry of Water and Sanitation is evaluating the effectiveness of service delivery models that are sustainable and scalable in an effort to address stubbornly high rates of waterpoint non-functionality.

Pump Aid’s innovative approach to increasing safe water access in rural areas has immense potential to bring universal water access to Malawi, and far beyond. With pilot programmes and collaborations, such as the Rural Water Management Pilot, we are able to share our life-changing work with other stakeholders and collaborate to learn how to best navigate the complex WASH landscape in Malawi. As we continue to scale our operations and extend our reach, we look forward to working with more stakeholders and sharing the proven success of our approach.

The Field Visit

Phillip Chidawati, BW Managing Director, giving a talk at the field visit
Area Mechanic, Mcloyd Kamoto, demonstrative a waterpoint repair

Before heading to the field, the representatives were taken through a dynamic professionalised repair and maintenance (PRM) presentation at our Lilongwe office. The session provided valuable insights into BW’s unique approach, clearly illustrating what sets our work apart and why we do what we do.

The field visit took place at the Mtelemuka village in Dowa District. This community became a Beyond Water customer in 2023 and has remained under contract with BW ever since, recognising the substantial benefits it has brought to their community. During the visit, community members expressed the positive impact BW’s work has had on their lives, outlining the following key impacts:

  • Cost Effectiveness: Through their Premium contract, the community was able to access high-value spare parts which would have been unaffordable if purchased individually from the local market, costing nearly 3x more than the contract fee paid to BW.
  • Flexible Payment Arrangements: They are not required to make additional payments once the contract is settled, until the full one-year term ends. BW’s payment model ensures no unexpected payments and provides our vital PRM services at one fixed, affordable rate for the whole year.
  • Regular Servicing: Instead of waiting for the pump to break down, the community now benefits from quarterly maintenance, which ensures the pump remains in optimal working condition and prevents major failures.
  • Access to Professional Area Mechanic (AM) Services: BW has connected the community with a highly qualified AM who is readily available, unlike in the past when they relied on informal, unregulated local mechanics.
  • Reduced Transportation Costs: Community members no longer have to travel to town or distant trading centres for spare parts, as BW’s AMs and Business Development Officers (BDO) deliver them directly to the community.
  • Faster Repairs: In the past, repair processes were lengthy and involved a five-step procedure that could take two weeks or more. Now, with an AM and spare parts just a phone call away, repairs are completed much more quickly and efficiently. Previously, the community had to complete the following lengthy and expensive process for each breakdown:
  1. Report the issue to a local mechanic
  2. The mechanic would schedule a visit to inspect the pump and provide a cost estimate for repairs.
  3. Waterpoint Committees (WPC) would begin fundraising based on the quote.
  4. Once funds were secured, WPCs would travel to town to purchase the necessary parts.
  5. Finally, they would contact the mechanic to carry out the repair.

Apart from the community clearly highlighting how BW’s services are essential towards sustainable management of their waterpoint, BW’s team showcased key elements of its game-changing professionalisation approach. Mcloyd Kamoto, a Beyond Water Mechanic, led the visitors through an engaging data management session using the mWater platform. During the session, he conducted a live pump service and logged the data in real-time, illustrating how BW leverages technology to monitor and manage the PRM programme effectively.

Moving Forward


This field visit marked a significant milestone for Pump Aid as we demonstrated the transformative impact of our work in reshaping rural water management. As we continue to strengthen our strategy and collaborate with more stakeholders, we are dedicated to providing communities with reliable safe water access utilising sustainable solutions that secure long-term functionality.

Learn more about Beyond Water

Interested in supporting our life-changing programmes in rural Malawi, click here to donate

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