(Ecofin Agency) - From 1996 to 2023, the Senegalese government invested over $1.3 billion in its potable water supply system, focusing on the urban areas within the Dakar-Mbour-Thiès triangle.

During an interministerial council meeting on water supply, the Senegalese government adopted several reforms that require more than CFA1,627 billion ($2.74 billion) in funding. This announcement was made in a statement on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.

The goal of these reforms is to ensure fair and sustainable access to clean water and to manage water resources effectively across Senegal. To achieve this, discussions on water and sanitation are planned by October to conduct a thorough and inclusive assessment of the sector and propose strategies for addressing ongoing concerns. Additionally, proposals for the creation, organization, and operation of a High Regulatory Authority for the water sector are expected to be submitted to the government by December 2025.

"The Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation will ensure that, in line with the principle of territorial equity, all communities near Lake Guiers and areas along the planned water pipelines under the Grand Water Transfer and other water transfer projects from capture fields to major cities are supplied with potable water," the statement read.

In Senegal, the overall access to clean water is estimated at 98.8% in urban areas and 91% in rural areas, according to the Ministry of Water and Sanitation. However, the government noted that some regions, including Kolda, Kédougou, Sédhiou, Tambacounda, and Ziguinchor, have very low access to potable water. Moreover, water quality in the peanut basin has caused health issues.

In June 2024, the World Bank approved $200 million in funding for Senegal to support the first phase of the Integrated Water Security and Sanitation Program (PISEA), which aims to improve access to clean water and sanitation while strengthening resilience to flood and drought risks.