According to the Bank’s website, this is a Multi-Purpose Dam project, located in Mwache, West of Mombasa: Financing of domestic water supply to Mombasa county. The project will contribute to key EU objectives and priorities under the Global Gateway and in the area of Climate Change Adaptation.

The main objective of the Mwache Water Supply Project is to improve drinking water and sanitation systems in the coastal region of Kenya. This will involve the construction of a multipurpose dam, including upper and lower check dams, a water treatment plant, including a Raw Water Pumping System, and three Transmission Mains (TMs), including terminal reservoirs. The project will also improve the distribution systems of the four zones of Mombasa city - Island, South Mainland, North Mainland & West Mainland. Overall, the aim is to improve the water supply to a population of 805,000 of which 386,400 will be in Mombasa and Kwale, and 48% of whom are anticipated to be women and girls.

According to the Environmental and Social Data Sheet:

The total number of Environmental and Social Impact assessments (ESIAs) required for this project are four (4) thus for the dam and the water treatment plant (which are in the same site) and for each of the three transmission mains. These have been elaborated following world bank safeguard procedures and are under the Bank’s review.

There is no significant presence of wildlife around the project area since human settlement and intensive intensive land use trends have prevented access by wild animals into the nearby habitats including Mwache Forest. Plant species have also been influenced by surrounding ecosystems including Mwache forest, the Coastal vegetation and major systems such as Shimba hills. Construction of the dam implies removal of all the vegetation while clearing the areas to be inundated and/or possibility of submerging of others. It is likely that certain plant species will be lost while others are likely to get introduced. There is also potential discharge of excessive particulate matter, cement and other construction materials residuals downstream as well as temporary interruption of flood flow downstream into the Mangrove ecosystem and habitats of Mwache Creek.

Negative impacts:

• Works impacts: during construction, occurrence of occasional and localized disturbances (mainly dust, noise, construction waste and traffic). Mitigation: an Environmental and Social Management Plan has been prepared and will be included in the works tender document for implementation by the future contractor;
• HIV and AIDS: during construction, presence of numerous workers can have an impact on the spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD). Mitigation: the ESMP under review includes a programme of actions for the minimization of HIV and AIDS.

The main social risks identified in the project sites are related to involuntary resettlement, namely: land acquisition, restrictions on land use, economic displacement; and labour influx related risks. Land is required for construction of the dam and water treatment plant. There is also need for wayleave acquisition for the transmission lines.

The Project is not expected to have significant adverse impact on the environment. Possible negative environmental effects should be temporary and confined to the immediate construction sites.

Under EFSD+ Guarantee 

The promoter for this project is Coast Water Works Development Agency (CWWDA), a state corporation fully owned by the Government of Kenya, operating under the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation (MoWI) and responsible for bulk water and sanitation infrastructure development.

No contacts available at the time of disclosure.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

You can submit an information request for project information at: https://www.eib.org/en/infocentre/registers/request-form/request-form-default.htm

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