BetaBetaDataset
To provide data on the operational status, functionality, and management of handpump-equipped water points in Chiradzulu District, Malawi
Reliable functionality of handpump-equipped water points is critical for sustaining rural water services in Malawi. This dataset was developed to verify the operational status of handpumps in Chiradzulu District and identify factors affecting water point performance, accessibility, and service delivery.
The dataset contains 57 observations and 46 variables, with each record representing a single site visit to a borehole or handpump water point in Chiradzulu District, Malawi. Variables include visit date, water point name and type, GPS coordinates, government staff availability, committee permission for inspection, functionality status, water availability, flow rate measurements, strokes required for discharge, seasonal water availability, reasons for non-functionality, environmental risk factors within 50 meters (e.g., latrines, cemeteries, waste sites, rivers, lakes, flood-prone areas, and difficult terrain), borehole age, pump manufacturer, drilling contractor, installation depth, static water level, pumping test information, drilling report availability, water quality information, repair history, operational condition, and spare parts required for repair. The dataset also includes photo documentation of both the water point itself (photo_waterpoint) and the specific repair parts (photo_parts) identified during inspections, providing visual evidence of infrastructure condition and maintenance needs.
The data were collected in 2020 through handpump verification surveys conducted in Chiradzulu District, Malawi. Survey teams visited water points to assess functionality status, inspect infrastructure conditions, verify operational performance, record geographic locations, and document management and maintenance information through field observations and structured survey instruments.