Zambia - Feasibility studies and designs for integrated and sustainable urban sanitation

The project is the outcome of a proposal submitted by the Zambia Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection (MWDSEP) to the African Water Facility (AWF) in May 2019, together with a funding request for project preparation. The project seeks to contribute towards Government’s effort to improve access to integrated and sustainable faecal sludge management and to achieve the SDGs for sanitation in urban areas in Zambia by 2030. Indeed, according to the 2017 Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) Update, access to basic water supply and sanitation stands at 61% (42% rural and 84% urban) for water supply and 26% (19% rural and 36% urban) for sanitation. About 19% (32% rural and 3% urban) of the population practice open defecation, while 14% (5% rural and 26% urban) have access to basic handwashing facilities with soap and water. Poor access to water, sanitation and hygiene services coupled with a rapidly expanding population, poor urban planning, unhygienic practices and impacts of climate change present challenges for both public and environmental health. The project addresses issues relating to inclusive access, cost recovery and sustainability along the value chain. It will be implemented in line with the National Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Program. The Program provides opportunity for a number of sector related project interventions to be implemented to improve access to sustainable services. The proposed project is one such intervention that seeks to improve access to sustainable sanitation and hygiene services by (i) increasing access to improved household and public sanitation, (ii) improving collection, treatment and disposal infrastructure, and (c) building capacity for the sustainable management of sanitation facilities in urban and peri-urban areas of Lusaka, Livingstone, Choma, Ndola, Petauke, Chavuma, Mansa, Kapiri-Mposhi, Kabwe, Solwezi, Kasama and Chipata. It comprises two (2) main components: (i) Feasibility Studies and Engineering Design; and (ii) Project Management. The estimated total cost of the project (excluding taxes) is € 1 356 863, of which 24 % is in local currency equivalent. It shall be executed over a period of 30 months from the date of Grant approval.