The project
Diese Betreiberpartnerschaft wird starke Synergien mit dem NEWZA-Programm sowie dem vom BMZ finanzierten SIWaS-Projekt schaffen. Ihr Hauptziel ist der Wissenstransfer und der Kapazitätsaufbau, was letztlich zu verbesserten Abläufen bei den Betreibern, gestärkten Betriebsstrukturen und einer nachhaltigen Bereitstellung hochwertiger Dienstleistungen führen soll.
NEWZA (Nexus Energy and Water Program for Zambia) is a programme launched in 2024, funded by the EU, UNICEF, and BMZ. It forms part of the Joint European Strategy for Zambia and aims to significantly enhance the energy and water supply situation in the country. This is to be achieved by improving the operational and financial performance of utilities: An approach aligned with commitments made by the Zambian Government and EU Member States currently active in Zambia’s water sector.
NEWZA is partially being implemented within the framework of the BMZ bilateral project SIWaS (Strengthening Institutions for Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation in Zambia).
This WOP is embedded within that framework and contributes directly to its objectives.
Work packages of the Partnership
The partners currently plan to collaborate on four work packages within the framework of the partnership:
Non-Revenue Water (NRW)
As of 2023, corporate Non-Revenue Water (NRW) stood at 41 percent at Chambeshi Water Supply and Sanitation Company, with certain districts contributing disproportionately due to varied causes, such as aging infrastructure.
The partners intend to jointly discuss and assess current NRW management practices to identify potential areas for collaboration, addressing both physical and commercial losses. Based on this assessment, they aim to jointly define relevant training needs and explore opportunities for cooperation in the area of leakage detection.
Water Quality
Within the water quality work package, the partners plan to explore how water quality management can be adapted to reflect the new mandate of Chambeshi Water Supply and Sanitation Company to serve more rural areas. Existing monitoring practices are expected to be reviewed, followed by discussions on how these can be aligned with the extended service area.
Information Technology (IT)
Die Betreiber prüfen derzeit die Beschaffung neuer Hardware und Software für die Chambeshi Water Supply and Sanitation Company. In diesem Zusammenhang könnte die Partnerschaft die Priorisierung von Softwareanforderungen unterstützen und bei der Auswahl von Systemen helfen, die sich für eine gemeinsame Implementierung eignen.
Energy Solutions
Rising energy and chemical costs continue to strain the operations of Chambeshi Water Supply and Sanitation Company, especially since tariffs have not increased since 2019. This makes it challenging to balance cost management with the provision of safe drinking water. Some alternative chemical options have already been considered.
In addition, climate change has exacerbated the situation. Ongoing power load shedding due to droughts has led Chambeshi Water Supply and Sanitation Company to invest in energy-efficient pumps, optimize pump schedules, and explore renewable energy sources such as solar power.
Against this background, the partnership plans to exchange knowledge on existing on-site renewable energy solutions, including hydropower, solar, and biogas digesters. Furthermore, the German partners are expected to support the development of an energy audit to guide future energy-saving measures.
