The water sector in Zambia has been undergoing legal and institutional reforms since the nineties. While some measure of success has been achieved in transforming the sector a number of challenges remain; access to adequate and safe drinking water and sanitation facilities in urban, peri-urban as well as rural areas remain unsatisfactory. Furthermore, weak coordination mechanisms, lack of baseline information for planning purposes, and weak human and institutional capacity for managing and implementing programmes remain challenges.
Danish support to the water sectorDenmark has supported the Zambian water sector and substantially from 2005 through the Water Supply and Sanitation Programme Support (WSPS), Phase I. The Phase II just started and will come to an end by 31st December 2013. The grant for the programme is 130 million DKK.The Programme will contribute to a sustainable reduction of poverty through improved water supply, sanitation and hygiene behaviour in Zambia. Phase II is expected to provide safe water to 400,000 people.
Water kiosk, Western Water and Sewerage Company, 2005
Components of the programmeComponent 1; Rural Water Supply and SanitationThis component aims at general support to the implementation of the National Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme. It continues based on lessons learned from phase I of the Danish support and will complete around 800 boreholes and a number of other water sources.
Component 2; Urban Water Supply and SanitationFunding to this component is provided through the Devolution Trust Fund (DTF) as well as earmarked support to capacity development of Western Water and Sewerage Company and Luapula Water and Sewerage Company. The support builds on achievements in phase I of the Danish support.
Component 3; Sector Capacity DevelopmentComponent 3 supports the Integrated Water Resources Management Centre at the University of Zambia in their efforts to develop the water sector’s capacity. The support builds on the very successful start of the centre which has already attained an international reputation with several students completing courses and an international prize winner. The Centre will host 3 PhD students and produce a number of masters and diploma students within the broader water sector disciplines.
Kalomo irrigation schemes, 2008
PartnersThe partners in the WSPS Phase II are the Ministry of Local Government, Housing, Early Education and Environmental Protection, University of Zambia IWRM Centre, Devolution Trust Fund, Western Water and Sewerage Company and Luapula Water and Sewerage Company.
The Cooperating Partners are African Development Bank, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, Australia, Department for International Development, European Commission, Germany, Irish Aid, Japan, UNICEF, USAID and the World Bank