Project Summary

Project General Description

The Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Aquatic Environment Revamping Project (WASHAERP) covers the greater Freetown area, the capital city of Sierra Leone. The project includes measures to institutionalise the Integrated Urban Water Management (IUWM) approach and in particular provide for sustainable management of the Freetown peninsular water-shed. It is intended to provide the necessary complementarity and maximise the impact of DFID’s early effort, which is limited to rehabilitation of some of the key elements of the dilapidated Freetown water supply infrastructure. The project will also complement the institutional reforms supported through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Threshold Program which is focused on improving the performance and sustainability of the water utility, the Guma Valley Water Company (GVWC). Its implementation will improve access to safe water supply by 15% and access to improved sanitation by 7% in Sierra Leone. The total cost is estimated at UA 135.12 million, including Fund's contribution of UA 10 million for an implementation period of sixty-six (66) months.

Project Objectives

The overall objective of the project is to improve the water supply and sanitation services while ensuring the sustainability of the vital aquatic ecosystem in the Western Area/Freetown. The Specific objectives of the project are: (a) To rehabilitate and expand water treatment, transmission, storage and distribution systems; (b) to improve solid and liquid waste collection, treatment and disposal services; (c) to provide infrastructure and enhance capacity for the effective protection of the Western Area Protected Forest/Water-shed; and (d) to promote good sanitation, hygiene and child nutrition practices of the primary beneficiaries while facilitating their gainful participation in the improvement of WASH services.

Beneficiaries

The project will directly benefit an estimated 1,400,000 people (51% women), provided with access to safe water, including new access for 1,000,000 people and restoration of a regular daily water service for 400,000 people. This is equivalent to 23% of the national population gaining round the clock access to safely managed water supply and improved sanitation services. Environmental sanitation conditions will be improved, including the improvement of hygiene and sanitation habits of at least 200,000 people in vulnerable communities of the city. The project will create over 2,700 jobs and restore the Freetown peninsular water-shed thereby reducing the impact of the extreme climate events to living conditions and enhancing resources sustainability of the Protected Forest Area – the Western Area Peninsular water-shed. Overall, the water and sanitation services regulatory environment and improved delivery of the services will provide a firm foundation for longterm financial sustainability of Guma Valley Water Company and Freetown City Council.

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