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08 April, 2008
A study conducted by the Addis Ababa City Water Sewerage Authority (AAWSA), indicates that there is a problem of water supply and distribution in Addis Ababa City.
The enormous amount of migration of people to the capital city, growing number of investments and construction works are some of the reasons stated for the shortage.
According to the study document that was prepared last month it is indicated
that for the last six months the Authority has increased production of water
from 235 thousand to 256,000 m3 per day but demand is increasing at faster
rate.
AAWSA has laid out short, medium and long term plans to solve the problem.
40 water wells the Authority has drilled will be connected to the main water supply system soon. When these wells start to provide water the total amount supplied increase will by 22,950 m3. In addition to these wells the Government has allocated a budget for drilling 18 more wells of which 11 have been completed.
The World Bank has also secured a fund for ten deep wells and 25 medium wells. These projects are expected to begin supply in the coming fiscal year. The projects will cover the demand of more than 900,000 people in the city.
Currently the Authority is upgrading the Gefersa dam that was constructed in 1942, at a cost of 172 mln birr.
According to the World Bank the daily production of potable water is about 206,000m3. However, this is only about 65% of the current demand. To satisfy demand (domestic, industrial and administrative) the current amount should be raised to 431,000 m3 per day and consequently to 1,105,000 m3 in 2020.
The welfare monitoring survey of 1996 estimates that 36% of the households in the city use private and shared taps while 61% use public tap (locally called Bono water). With its present capacity, as mentioned earlier, AAWSA covers about 65% of the City’s, water demand. According to the City’s Five Year Plan (2001 – 2005), the water supply coverage is expected to increase from the current 65% to 85%. To accomplish this the Authority plans to identify areas of water and sanitation services that can be operated by private sectors and introducing community based integrated water and sanitation programs.
By Muluken Yewondwossen - Capital