DWASA serves 10 million people through a set of 10 administrative service zones. It covers about 80% of the population from approximately a quarter of a million connections. It is heavily reliant on ground water sources (around 450 extraction points) for about 85% of current water supplies with the 15% balance coming from surface water extracted from the nearby rivers.
DWASA’s problems are fully recognized by the organization and cover:
- Inadequate supply of water - demand outstrips supply
- Poor quality of water distribution network - many leaks occur
- Poor quality and reliability of water - surface water is bad and load shedding interrupts supply
- Limited water coverage of slum dwellers
- Inefficient and ineffective management systems and governance
- Financial non- sustainability - shows profits but insufficient cash flow to repay loans or invest.
Korea Water (K Water) is a recognized water knowledge hub by ADB. It employs around 4000 professionals, manages water resources, and operates water and wastewater treatment plants and a number of retail operations on behalf of client cities.
A diagnostic visit was conducted from 18 to 23 May 2008 to discuss twinning assistance to DWASA. The Team comprise K Water experts - Mr. Deak chun Han, Dr. Kwan Soo Soek, and Mr. Soojin Choi; and ADB Facilitator, Robert Hood. The team consulted with a number of DWASA personnel and visited two water treatment plants, two zone offices and several ground water pumping stations.
The targeted operational areas stemming from this diagnostic visit are (i) water quality (ii) development of training proposals to boost capacity of DWASA personnel and (iii) address some aspects of NRW. Although an initial work plan was developed during the diagnostic, it was proposed that a more detailed plan best be developed during a first visit to K Water by DWASA personnel.
This twinning is facilitated by Asian Development Bank.
