WASSER FÜR WASSER (WfW) | Project Work Africa

BASELINE SITUATION

Growing population

Misisi is home to 80,000 people. The area is one of the poorest in the capital. It has grown to such an extent in recent years that an expansion of the water infrastructure was urgently needed.

Difficult terrain

Misisi lies on solid rock and is largely unplanned. This makes the excavation more complex, pipes susceptible to fractures and access to construction sights difficult.

Lack of water supply

An old network of pipes supplied water to only a small number of residents and lost up to 70% of its water supply due to leaks. The majority of the population lived without access to safe public water sources. The water supply consisting of water kiosks and household connections could not cover the increasing demand. Local residents therefore had to use unsafe surface water or purchase water from unregulated outlets.

Wf W Info Grafik Sambia Karte Lusaka 2022 EN Msisi

Residents
80'000

Access to water
over 50% without safe access to drinking water

Non-Revenue Water
about 70%

MEASURES

In a joint project of WASSER FÜR WASSER (WfW), WSUP (Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor), the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) and the LWSC (Lusaka Water Supply & Sanitation Company), the goal was to supply the entire area of Misisi with safe and affordable drinking water. Not least in order to reduce the extent of waterborne diseases. The project report shows every measure that has been taken.

Pipe construction in Misisi, Lusaka / Lior Etter, WfW

PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION

Long-lasting and fracture-resistant PE100 pipes were used for the construction of 4.5 km of water pipelines. Blasting had to be carried out in the stony area to be able to lay the pipes. A project task force consisting of local residents was in charge of informing residents about the importance of laying water pipes and with carrying out daily inspections of the work.

WfW water kiosk in Misisi, Lusaka / Lior Etter, WfW

WATER KIOSKS

The construction of the 20 water kiosks was carried out by the LWSC and included sanitary and bricklaying work. We are pleased to note that graduates of the WfW partner school LVTC (Lusaka Vocational and Technical College) were also involved.

Connection of old and new pipe system in Misisi, Lusaka / Lior Etter, WfW

TRANSFER TO NEW PIPELINE SYSTEM

With the new pipeline system, parts of the old, dilapidated system were no longer needed. 50 users of the old system were connected to the new one.

Awareness raising activities in Misisi, Lusaka / Lior Etter, WfW

RAISING AWARENESS

The awareness raising and mobilisation of the population entailed a total of 32 public meetings between central actors of the water sector and the community. The residents were informed about the project objectives, planned activities and the progress of the projects. In addition, drama shows, rousing theatre performances by a local theatre group and door-to-door visits by local organisations were organised.

Training of salespeople for the water kiosks in Misisi, Lusaka / Lior Etter, WfW

TRAINING OF VENDORS

45 salespeople were trained. The focus was on their role in the overall water supply system, their responsibility in infrastructure management and the selling of water.

PARTNERS

Lusaka Water Supply & Sanitation Company (LWSC)

The water supply company LWSC reports to the Lusaka City Council and is responsible for supplying water to the capital. The peri-urban department of LWSC is responsible for the 35 poorest and least developed areas of the capital. This department is thus responsible for the planning, implementation, operation and maintenance of the supply system in WfW project areas.

Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP)

WSUP is a British multi-sector partnership active in seven African countries. WSUP's aim is to work with urban water and sanitation companies to provide financially sustainable and affordable supply systems for poor urban areas. WfW works directly with WSUP Zambia. WSUP assumes the role of intermediary organisation between WfW and LWSC on the one hand and the monitoring and supervision of the projects on the other. In addition, WSUP is involved in the design and coordination of projects financed by WfW.

SUCCESSES

the construction of 4.5km of water pipelines and 20 water kiosks financed

more than 40,000 people have access to clean drinking water

40,000 people sensitised to hygiene practices and the use of drinking water

FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS

Direct Effects on Health

Fortunately, the measures taken in Misisi had a rapid effect. During the annual rainy season (December to February), cholera outbreaks would occur throughout Misisi. During the 2017/2018 rainy season, the compound was largely spared the waterborne disease for the first time. The water kiosks quickly became part of the daily water supply of the local residents and significantly improved hygiene.

Infrastructure still Inadequate

The compound, however, is still a long way from having safe access to WASH for everyone. Basic sanitation and drainage are inadequate. Open pit latrines are flooded during the rainy season. As a result, there is still a high risk of direct contact with faecal matter and thus with pathogens. Further infrastructure and awareness-raising measures are therefore vital.