Gulu Town Water Supply
Total Plan Expenditure: UGX 43,848,902,723
Background
Gulu is a commercial, administrative centre in Northern Uganda with a population of about 100,000 based on the 2002 census, situated about 300km North of Kampala. The growth rate in population of 8.4% for the 11 years between 1991 and 2002 was caused mainly by migration of people from rural areas to the town due to insurgency. With the prevailing improved security in Gulu, which is expected to continue, the population growth rate has been predicted to fluctuate from 5.5% to 2.5% towards the end of the design horizon of 2025. As a result of this, the population is estimated to grow to 202,512 by the year 2025.
The current main source of water supply in Gulu is Oyitino dam with a safe yield estimated at 1500 m3/day. The existing treatment plant capacity is 5400 m3/day. In 1969 a scheme intended to develop an additional water source through impounding of the Tochi River was started. Construction started in 1978 but was later abandoned due to general insecurity.
In order to address the insufficient water supply situation in Gulu town, the then Ministry of Water and Natural Resources through the Directorate of Water Development (DWD) and NWSC commissioned COWI-ACE to undertake a feasibility study for the rehabilitation and expansion of the Gulu Water Supply and Sewerage Systems under World Bank funding from 1996-1999 for a design horizon up to year 2012.
A consultancy contract for Gulu Water Supply and Sanitation Project was signed on 24th May 2004 between National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) and Gauff Consultants (U) Ltd in association with M&E Associates Ltd. Consultancy services commenced on 7th June 2004 and the preparation of designs and tender documents for Phase 1 was completed in November 2005.
Works for Phase II (for FY 2008/09 & 2009/10) are currently under tendering process. Work is expected to start by end of March 2009 and will be concluded in 12 months from commencement.
Project Objectives
The project will provide adequate water supply to the residents of Gulu Municipality as well as in the peri-urban areas and semi-rural areas outside the municipality.
The project objectives include:
- Rehabilitation and expansion of water supply and sanitation systems in Gulu Water Service Area (WSSA) to meet the projected demand up to year 2025.
- Formulation of recommendations regarding the organizational and management framework that will accelerate and sustain water and sanitation service coverage at affordable rates without burdening the operational budget of NWSC or a future private sector.
- Assessing and defining the potential for Private Sector Participation (PSP) in operation of Gulu WSSA.
- Updating the geographical information system (GIS) for Gulu with clearly demarcated block maps indicating the reticulation network, location of consumers and complete database on consumers in agreement with NWSC.
- Assessing all environment consequences as a result of the project and determine mitigation measure in compliance with NEMA requirements.
Expected Outputs-Emergency Works
- Improved reliability for water supply to the Gulu Water Service Area
- Improved quantity of water supply to the town from average production of 2,200 m3 to over 5,500 m3/day
- Improved quality of water treated and sustained
- Increase water storage capacity
- Improved the delivery of water in the dry areas
- Replacement of undersized and old areas
Performance Indicators
- Progress report and completion report
- Increase number of facilities constructed and / or rehabilitated
- Site Visit
Technical Description
The project entails undertaking construction of the Tochi Dam, commissioning of the already laid DN 500 DI pipes for the raw water, handling of the electro/mechanical component, constructing of service reservoir at custom corner, overhauling of the oyitino dam and water treatment works, replacing and laying of new distribution mains, carrying out house connections.
As far as sewerage components, is concerned, the site for future expansion shall be acquired, rehabilitation and expansion of the current waster stabilization pond serving the town, having the army barracks drained, replacing and expanding of the sewer system.
Financing
This project is financed from GoU with the obligation of scaling down and handling the emergency activities that can have an impact on the supply of water as funding for the major works for both water and sanitation is sourced. The overall project financing is under the Ministry of Water and Environment
Plan of Operation
Starting from the FY 2007/2008, FY 2008/2009 and FY 2009/2010 annually, allocation of fund averagely Ushs. 2.5 bn was done. Out of the main works to be done, critical item, which can be sorted out using the allocation, are curved out from the major works.
Priority has been given for water component and the sewerage will be handled during the major works.
Due to the huge amount of the funds required to bring water from Tochi dam/source on board, the little resources are being sunk in mainly activities around increasing supply and quality and reliably from the Oyitino dam.
Achievements
- Technical commissioning of the water supply scheme
- Laying of 5.8 Km of DN300 Ductile Iron raw water pumping main
- Supply and installation of alum and chlorine dozers
- Supply and installation of ball float valves for the existing water storage tanks
- Supply and installation of bulk water meters at the sites of the existing tanks