Malawi - District Water Supply Phase III Project

The District III water supply project is part of the National Water Services Development Plan (1994 - 2010) and is a key component of the Government of Malawi's development program. The project complements the Government's efforts to develop the water and sanitation sector. The newly created Regional Water Boards (RWB) will function as commercial entities. Rehabilitated networks will be able to meet the demand for water until 2010, which will help to anchor RWB operations on a sound basis. Improved sanitation will complement the benefits of water supply and thus help the Government to reduce the incidence of water-related diseases. Thus, not only will the project promote the Malawi Government's sectoral reform agenda, but it will also improve the lot of the poor. Ease of access to these services will provide beneficiaries with more time to focus on economic activities, while the subsequent reduction in the incidence of water-borne and water-related diseases water will save money on medical costs. The project will therefore contribute to alleviating poverty in the country, which is a major objective of the Government.