No water shouldn't mean no school.
A practical, fundable backup water system for every Phoenix school affected by daily water cuts.
Water disruption is now the daily norm
Phoenix experiences water cuts for roughly 14–16 hours a day, with supply typically returning only between late night and early morning. Some streets go without any water at all for days or weeks at a time.
Investigations point to several causes: an estimated 50–60% (in places higher) of treated water is lost through ageing, leaking pipes before it ever reaches a home; pump stations and substations are affected by load shedding and maintenance backlogs; and in some cases infrastructure is deliberately disabled so that costly "emergency" repairs or private water-tanker contracts can be sold back to desperate communities — a pattern widely reported in South Africa as the "water mafia".
Whatever the cause on any given day, the effect on a school is the same: no water for toilets, no water for hand-washing, no water for science and biology labs, and, eventually, learners sent home.
What this costs a school
- Early dismissals when toilets and handwashing facilities become unusable
- Heat exhaustion and dehydration risk with no safe drinking water on hot days
- Girls missing school entirely when there is no private, functioning sanitation
- Science and biology practicals abandoned — no water for experiments, cleaning or safety showers
- An estimated 15–30 teaching days lost per year in the worst-affected areas
Compounding an existing crisis
South Africa already faces a foundational learning crisis — most Grade 4 learners cannot yet read for meaning, and local maths and science performance lags most of the world. Every day of water-related closure erodes the structured teaching time schools need to close that gap.
A right-sized backup water system for every school
For a school of around 500 learners, a standard household pump is not enough — break-time demand from dozens of toilets and basins running at once requires a proper bulk system. SSBF installs a three-part system engineered for real school demand:
Bulk Water Storage
Two 5,000-litre vertical storage tanks (e.g. JoJo-type tanks) linked in series on a concrete base — a minimum of 7,500–10,000 litres of backup capacity, enough to see a school through a full day of water cuts. Larger schools can be sized up to 15,000–20,000 litres.
Multi-Stage Centrifugal Pump
A 1.5–2.2kW multi-stage centrifugal pump — the only pump type able to deliver the 150–250 litres/minute peak flow needed when hundreds of learners use taps and toilets at break time.
Pressure Controller / VSD
A variable speed drive (VSD) or electronic pressure controller that scales the pump's output automatically — gentle for a single tap, full power the moment break time hits — protecting the motor and keeping pressure steady school-wide.
System components: JoJo-type water storage tanks · multi-stage centrifugal pump · VSD / pressure controller · ball valves · concrete base & rubber base mat · piping & fittings · pump housing / cover.
Building on the core system
Depending on funding and school needs, the core system can be extended with:
🔒 Security Cage
A fenced, awning-covered, lockable enclosure protecting the pump and tanks from tampering or theft.
🌧️ Rainwater Harvesting
A secondary rainwater harvesting system feeding toilets specifically, reducing reliance on municipal supply even further.
🚰 Water Filtration
Filtration at a minimum of two outlets per school, giving learners access to safe drinking water on site.
From first conversation to running taps
Meet the School
We present the project to the principal and ask for one point of contact — the principal, a HOD, teacher or SGB member.
Sign the MOU
The school signs a Memorandum of Understanding, allowing SSBF and sponsor branding on site and opting in to future pilot projects.
Secure Funding
We approach businesses, corporates and community sponsors to fund the installation, per school or in bulk.
Install & Hand Over
The system is installed, tested and handed over to the school, with sponsor branding in place.
What schools gain by joining
- No more early dismissals or lost teaching days due to dry taps
- Functioning toilets and hand-washing stations year-round, improving hygiene and dignity for every learner
- Uninterrupted science and biology practicals
- Safe drinking water on site, reducing heat-related illness
- A foundation for future SSBF phases — solar power, facility upgrades and community programmes
What it costs to secure one school
Based on detailed component and labour estimates for a standard installation (two 5,000L tanks, pump, controller, base and fittings), a complete core system is estimated at:
| System | Estimated Total |
|---|---|
| Core Backup Water System (per school) | R50,000 |
| Optional: Security Cage | R15,000 |
| Optional: Rainwater Harvesting (toilets) | R54,000 |
| Optional: Water Filtration (2 outlets) | R16,000 |
Larger schools can be sized up to 15,000–20,000 litres of storage at an adjusted cost. Full component-level costing is available in our detailed presentation and business plan for prospective sponsors.
Sponsor a school
R50,000 secures water security for one school for years to come.
R250,000
R500,000
Presentations & Documents
Download and share these directly — no sign-up required.
📊 High-Level Overview
A short, visual introduction for school principals and community stakeholders — how the project works, no costs or timelines.
Download Presentation📈 Detailed Plan & Costing
The full plan for business and corporate funders, including costs, timelines and phased roll-out.
Download Presentation📄 Business Plan
The full written business plan for the Water for Schools project, including mission, vision and costings.
Download Business Plan✍️ School MOU
The Memorandum of Understanding schools sign to join the programme — editable and ready to complete.
Download MOU (PDF)Register your school's interest
Tell us a little about your school and we'll be in touch to arrange a time to meet with your principal and explain how the project works.
By registering, you're not committing to anything yet — this simply starts the conversation.