According to bank documents, the project objective is to improve access to improved water supply and sanitation services in targeted areas in eSwatini and strengthen
the regulatory framework for national rural water supply and sanitation service provision.

The project will have three components:

1. Water Supply Extension - Nhlangano to Matsanjeni-Somtongo-Lavumisa Water Main the Shiselweni region (USD $18 million). The overall objective of this component is to increase potable water supply coverage for domestic, institutional and commercial consumption to populations in Matsanjeni-Somtongo-Lavumisa area, Shiselweni region of the country, through the construction of a transmission pipeline and distribution network. The component will aim to provide populations with safely managed or basic water access. The existing Nhlangano WTP has excess capacity that will be used to expand services through the project-funded transmission pipeline and distribution networks. The component will finance engineering designs and the construction of the transmission pipeline and distribution network.
   The findings of a concept paper prepared by SWSC recommended the installation of a total of 61 km of gravity main, 3 km of pumping mains at various stages along the route, 3 ground reservoirs, and 1 pumping station. The intention is for the mains to be connected to 154 km of laterals which supply homesteads, offices, clinics, schools and kiosks. The interconnection of these systems would not only provide increased water security to the region but would also enable a substantial increase in potable water coverage to urban and rural areas to an additional 23,0610 people, mostly rural and low income. During project preparation, the team will explore the potential for maximizing the number of beneficiaries and overall benefits of the investment.
2. Improved Sanitation Access in Shiselweni region ($10 million). The overall objective of this component is to achieve increased access to safely managed sanitation and basic hygiene management in the Shiselweni region. This will be implemented in conjunction with improved potable water access through the project (focused on populations in Matsanjeni-Somtongo-Lavumisa area. It will also aim to provide improved access to sanitation services in health centres and schools in the Shiselweni region. During project preparation, the team will explore the potential for maximizing the number of beneficiaries and overall benefits of the investment. The Joint Monitoring Program defines basic hygiene as “availability of a handwashing facility on premises with soap and water” . As the region has high levels of
   open defecation, which can be associated with the lowest wealth quintiles and is shown to have an impact on child malnutrition/stunting, this component will target interventions at those households/areas with the highest prevalence of open defecation and poor hygiene management. During project preparation, the level of impact the project investments can have on reducing open defecation, in the target project area, will be confirmed. A range of onsite sanitation and hygiene management solutions will be considered, given the low density and remote areas of most of the households. The component will finance a baseline assessment of the current sanitation service delivery situation as well as a sanitation strategy to be implemented in the region (aligned with the institutional strengthening to be provided under component 3), as well as engineering designs, construction of onsite sanitation and hygiene management solutions, behavior change campaigns and a sanitation marketing campaign.
3. Project Management and Institutional Strengthening (USD $7 million). The overall objective of this component is to support project management and strengthen sector institutions and policies for rural water to improve the long-term sustainability of rural water and sanitation service provision. This component will update existing assessments of current challenges on rural water supply and sanitation and bring to bear relevant international experience that can be adapted to the eSwatini context. This will likely include a focus on institutional reforms to strengthen the rural water supply and sanitation sector, targeting issues of policy, including roles and responsibilities (e.g. strengthening the Rural Water Supply Unit’s capacity to formulate policy and monitor the sustainability of services and the potential for increasing the role of SWSC in the management of rural water supply and sanitation services), adequate financing, operation and maintenance, alternative management models and asset ownership. This component will also support consultancies that will support the National Disaster Risk Management Agency to undertake risk assessments and put in place early warning systems and contingency planning (e.g., drought monitoring and management).

World Bank:
Lizmara Kirchner, Ruth Jane Kennedy-Walker
Senior Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist

Borrower:
Ministry of Finance

Implementing Agency:
Swaziland Water Services Corporation
Nontombi Maphanga
Technical Services Director
nontombi.motsa@swsc.co.sz 

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