Community-Based Water Point Monitoring: How Area Mechanics Are Keeping Water Flowing in Rural Malawi

The Madzi Alipo Management System (MAMS) is powering smarter, faster water repairs in Malawi’s rural communities.

In 2023, Pump Aid’s “Beyond Water” programme partnered with Madzi Alipo to train local water technicians in Dowa District. The Madzi Alipo model is a community based water point monitoring system, appropriate for rural communities.

The organisations objective was to reduce water point downtime to under 72 hours using community-led systems and real-time data.

Training With a Purpose: Devolving Power to Impactful Community-Based Water Point Monitoring

Through two in-depth training sessions, 13 area mechanics were equipped with smartphones

and trained to use the Madzi Alipo app to report:

💧 Pump functionality

💧 Drainage and repair details

💧 Historical maintenance records

Recognising the need for accessibility, the app was translated into Chichewa, Sena, Yao, and Tumbuka. This upgrade had long been on Madzi Alipo’s development list, and the partnership enabled it to finally move forward. Truly making Madzi Alipo Management System the go-to leading database for community led water point monitoring in rural Africa.

Madzialipo/PABW Area Mechanic training on MAMS In Progress

Mapping 269 Pumps and Building Accountability

Within weeks, the newly trained teams had mapped 269 Afridev handpumps across Dowa District, creating a real-time database that shows which pumps are functional, under strain, or out of service. Notifying the team when a repair is needed, reducing water point downtime.

Madzi Alipo field technicians with PABW AM conducting a repair & recording proceedings on Madzi Alipo App

This partnership has also sparked cross-organisational learning.

Madzi Alipo is now reviewing its own service-level agreements with area mechanics and planning to replicate this training model in Blantyre Rural, with a pilot to equip mechanics with smartphones for ongoing reporting.

By putting data and systems in the hands of local teams, communities gain more control, faster repairs, and greater water security.

Three Ways to Get Involved Today

💧 Share the story. Water matters—and your voice can help raise awareness of water points breaking and needing ongoing maintenance, that often is overlooked.

💧 Fund expansion. Book a call with us if you are looking for a program to invest in.

💧 Live consciously. Conserve water. Because every action has a ripple effect. 

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