This project aims to increase access to sustainable water supply services for the poor living in selected small towns and rural growth centers. Water supply services will be provided through the increased participation of local private operators, selected on a competitive basis. The project consists of the following:

• Extension of existing water supply systems in six small towns to poor households; and
• Construction of green-field water supply systems in four rural growth centers to provide the inhabitants with piped water supply.

Design Build Operate contracts were signed with small local private operators in October, 2008. So far, 29,286 people have been verified to have benefitted from this project (up to June 30, 2010).

The project is expected to result in at least 1,982 new connections, mostly in the form of yard taps serving about three families each, but also including at least 36 public water points that serve several hundred people each.

Funding from GPOBA is expected to help increase the potential market of operators/investors in the sector – including participation of local banks in financing water sector operations - in order to provide improved water access to about 45,000 people.

"B" for EIA see: http://go.worldbank.org/39ARCACZU0

Samuel Dawuna Mutono