Borealis supports program to restore drinking water infrastructure in Beira, Mozambique after Cyclone Idai

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Borealis supports program to restore drinking water infrastructure in Beira, Mozambique after Cyclone Idai

6:37 CAT | 18 Jul 2023

Image: Borealis

Water for the World, a joint program of Borealis and Borouge, supports restoration of water supplies to more than 13,500 people in Beira, Mozambique following damage to the network during Cyclone Idai

Broken pipe systems have been replaced with pipes made of Borealis’ BorSafe PE100 material, providing high durability and reducing leaks and contamination

WASH (Water, Sanitation, Hygiene) promotion campaign reached more than 87,000 people

Borealis and Borouge, through Water for the World, have provided funding to a project in Beira, Mozambique, to provide a sustainable water supply for more than 13,500 people. Mozambique is one of the world’s poorest countries, with only one quarter of its urban residents having access to safe piped drinking water and more than half are lacking the most basic sanitation facilities.

In 2019, Cyclone Idai damaged Beira’s fragile water supply network, and the city struggled to provide water and sanitation services to its residents ever since. Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP), a long-standing partner of Water for the World, has been working with local stakeholders to restore a sustainable water supply across Beira.

The neighborhoods of Maraza and Chota were identified as those most in need. Before the project, around 70% of households located there did not have a water network connection, affecting more than 32,000 people. Furthermore, water was only available for a maximum of two hours a day, and the flow was unreliable, particularly for households located farther from the main pipeline.

The project involved repairing 8 kilometers of existing network piping and constructing a further 11.5 kilometers to reach unserved households across Maraza. The project also improved the pumping station that supplies Maraza and Chota and rehabilitated the existing water tower.

These efforts were accompanied by a water promotion campaign encouraging households to connect to the new network by explaining how the network had been repaired, the importance of having their own connection to it, the improvements to water supply and availability, and the benefits for women.

At the same time, the WASH campaign promoted good hygiene practices such as handwashing to households in both neighborhoods, reaching nearly 22,000 people in Maraza and Chota. Due to its success, the Beira authorities asked WSUP to extend the campaign into three further neighborhoods, which are home to more than 65,000 people.

An improved water supply for the community

More than 13,500 people in Maraza can now connect to the new water network. Water is accessible in Maraza for at least seven hours a day and the volume has increased, with more pressure in the system. Residents in Chota also benefit from improved water pressure and availability, following the upgrades and repairs to the distribution center.

The improvements mean less queuing for water, freeing up time for other activities, such as employment or education. This is particularly beneficial for women and girls, as the task of fetching water falls mainly onto them.

The project has significantly improved the network, making it more resistant to future natural catastrophes such as cyclones. The network has been constructed with pipes provided by Borealis’ customer Politejo, using Borealis’ plastic raw material (BorSafe PE100). This makes the welded pipes very durable, reducing leaks, maintenance, and risks of contamination through perforations in the pipes. High density polyethylene (HDPE) PE100 also offers greater flexibility for network layout, which can reduce costs and increase installation speed.

“We are delighted to support another successful project in Mozambique, bringing a regular supply of life-changing safe water to thousands of people,” says Robin Bresser, Marketing Manager at Borealis and one of the directors of WSUP. “Borealis BorSafe polymer grades are specifically designed for pipes that are quickly installed and very durable, crack resistant and resilient against natural disasters. We look forward to assisting more communities in the future.”
“We welcome the support of Borealis in this project,” says Ed Mitchell, CEO at WSUP. “Our work in Beira focuses on creating more resilient services, to ensure that vulnerable residents have sustainable access to clean water and effective sanitation, as climate change makes extreme weather more common.”

Watch the Water for the World Beira project video,