The 14-year civil crisis, which spanned from 1989 to 2003, could not have done worse to the country, as it destroyed, literally, everything people labored for, as well as reversed all the gains past administrations had achieved in building the fabrics of the Liberian society. After the war, Liberia could not show anything, because heartless warmongers had looted all the major institutions that hold the economy of the society, most importantly the White Plains Water Treatment Plant, which supplied water to Monrovia and its environs.
The White Plains Water Treatment Plant was originally built in 1957 with funding from the United States government, and with the support of other development partners it was expanded in 1970 to provide around 18 million gallons (68,100 cubic meters) of drinking water per day to Monrovia. However, the war destroyed the dam and pipeline leading to the treatment plant, requiring the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) to pump water to the plant directly from the St. Paul River. Since then, the quality and taste of water has suffered.
But what appears to be the change of narrative for the history of safe-drinking water in Monrovia occurred on Friday, August 20, 2021, when the Mayor of Monrovia, Jefferson Tamba Koijee, broke ground for an urban water supply project, fully funded by the International Development Association (IDA)-World Bank Group and implemented by the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC).
The World Bank recently ratified a US$8 million additional financing for Liberia’s urban water supply project, which started in 2016, targeting central Monrovia and surrounding cities. Under this project, an express waterline is to be constructed from the Fish Market water booster straight to the Newport Street water booster, which will again see the free flow of safe-drinking water to Central Monrovia.
According to information, central Monrovia last received water supply from the White Plains Water Treatment Plant between 2005 and 2006, when efforts were being exerted by the Sirleaf administration, in collaboration with development partners, to restore water to central Monrovia. It was said that Monrovia received water for a little over an hour, and that was it.
This, according to information, prompted the construction of the Fish Market booster, in order to receive water from the Mount Coffee dam for onward distribution to central Monrovia and parts adjacent through manual means.
Only in its fourth year, the administration of President George Manneh Weah has achieved yet another landmark achievement. If all goes as planned, the project is expected to kick off on August 30, 2021 and be completed on August 30, 2022—a one-year duration. In addition to the construction of the express waterline to Central Monrovia, a water service reservoir will be constructed in Paynesville, as well as the construction of associated feeder and main distribution lines.
When completed, the new development will ensure that water is supplied in every part of central Monrovia, as well as in SKD community, Du-Port Road, GSA Road, RIA Highway, Neezoe, Redlight, Gobachov Market, Wood Camp, Zayzay Community, Kesselly Boulevard, Coca Cola Factory, Kakata Highway, Whein Town Community, Johnsonville, Barnesville (Dry rice market road), Nicklay Town, Chicken Soup Factory, etc.
Mayor Koijee, as the proxy for President Weah at the groundbreaking ceremony, which was held at Fish Market, said, “Safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030 requires we invest in adequate infrastructure, provide sanitation facilities, and encourage hygiene.
“Expanding access to clean water and basic sanitation services is fundamental to reducing poverty, fighting disease, extending education, and improving livelihoods. Ensuring that water infrastructure is properly maintained which is critical to these development goals.”
Mayor Koijee continued, “Water in the city of Monrovia has social and economic implications. Water is at the center of economic and social development; it is vital to maintain health, grow food, generate energy, manage the environment, and create jobs.
“Today we move closer to achieving Liberia’s targets set in SDG 6. We have proposed a four institution working group: MCC, Public Works, EPA and WASH Commission to curtail open defecation and enhance the WASH sector for the good of the nation.”
According to him, “Monrovia is also known as one of the wettest capital city in the world, sitting at sixth place globally, with an annual average rainfall of 179 inches. There’s also plenty of tourist attractions in our city, probably not more than the rainfall we’ll experience.
“We are grateful for such progress under His Excellency George Weah; at this juncture, distribution of water to places is expected to be systematic and timely than ever. We all win!”
As admitted by Mayor Koijee, with abundance in rivers, rainforests, mangroves and swamps, Liberia is one of the wettest countries in the world but lacks in infrastructure and services to reach everyone with safe drinking water.
Sanitation is very poor, with the vast majority of people in rural areas lacking decent toilets and latrines. About 42 per cent of Liberia population practices open defecation, according to the Joint Monitoring Program 2017. All in all, less than 10 per cent of Liberians have access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation services.
“Securing access to safe water and adequate sanitation for all would go a long way in reducing infection, disease and death,” a 2017 UNICEF report said.