Matam: Launch of works to strengthen the drinking water supply for 3.1 billion CFA francs

The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Dr. Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, presided on Friday in Matam over the launch of the works to strengthen the city's drinking water supply, in the presence of administrative and local authorities and technical and financial partners.

The Matam water treatment plant, with a capacity of 1600 m³/day, built as part of the Drinking Water Supply Project for the six river centers and commissioned in 1999, has reached its saturation point. Nearly thirty years later, the Minister of Water and Sanitation announced further major works within the framework of the project to strengthen the drinking water supply to the four river centers of Richard Toll, Dagana, Podor, and Matam.

This program, amounting to 3.1 billion for the municipality of Matam, is financed by the State through a grant from the West African Development Bank (BOAD). According to Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, it is a strategic response to the population's needs for drinking water.

“Based on evolving needs, the public authorities have recommended sustainable solutions through a master plan. This planning tool allows us to anticipate demand. The department, through SONES, assesses the growth in needs every five years, defines the appropriate hydraulic infrastructure, secures funding, and carries out the work,” the authority explained. The projects launched today followed this technical process. The study took into account population growth, urbanization, and the water usage patterns of various economic sectors. According to the authority, projections indicate a need of 6,200 m³/day by 2050. This figure is significantly higher than the 1,600 m³/day consumed under normal conditions and the 2,300 m³/day during periods of high consumption.

According to Dr. Dièye, Matam's water needs will increase from 1,600 m³/day currently to 6,200 m³/day by 2050. The project will boost overall production to 9,600 m³/day thanks to an additional 4,000 m³/day. For storage, a new 1,500 m³ water tower will be built. The city's storage capacity will increase sevenfold, from 250 m³ to 1,750 m³. Nearly 17 km of the network will also be reinforced to serve the underserved areas of Gourel Deffa 1 and 2, Nawel, Halwar, Gourel Serigne, and the area behind the stadium.

Acknowledging that water treatment and exploitation require "significant resources", the minister reassured of the State's commitment to preserving the social value of water.

"Despite this economic and financial dimension, the State jealously guards its character as a social good," he declared.

To achieve this, the government is relying on a support mechanism called social connections and network extensions. According to the government, these measures will broaden the reach of water infrastructure while protecting the purchasing power of the most vulnerable segments of the population. The project launched today includes a component focused on connections and network extensions. The minister also announced the launch of the "Yoonu Ndox" initiative, which establishes a mobile, community-based dialogue between SONES (the national water company) and local communities.

He also launched "Yaatal ak Yombal," dedicated to social connections and network extensions, respectively. SONES is responsible for implementing these two initiatives in accordance with state policy and for the benefit of the population.