Maputo water system to be improved

The government has announced five major projects to improve the water supply system in the Greater Maputo area. The works will affect the capital and the neighbouring towns of Matola and Boane.

Contracts have already been awarded and the work is to be undertaken over a period of 18 months at a total cost of MT3.6 billion, to be paid for by the European Union, the European Investment Bank, the Dutch government, the French Development Agency and the Mozambican government.

The first project involves the rehabilitation and expansion of the water treatment plant on the Umbeluzi River, which feeds the Greater Maputo area. Other works include the construction of a new 19 km mains water pipe, the expansion of the existing water supply system into new areas and the construction of 13 small water systems based on wells in semi-urban neighbourhoods of Maputo and Matola.

The projects are expected to benefit up to 1.5 million people and are part of a commitment by the government to bring clean water to 70 per cent of Mozambique