Approximately 7208 people benefit from the Community Water Supply projects implemented by SADC-GMI in Madimba and Kimpangu – DRC
depicts drilling of the borehole at Madimba Project area. This water resource from underground signifies improved livelihoods for the community
Access to clean water is still an acute challenge for Madimba and Kimpangu communities in the province of Kongo-Central, Democratic Republic of Congo. In both areas, women still walk long distances to access fresh water which deprives them of valuable time to engage in other productive activities such as house chores. Such lack of water creates a hygiene problem that has a significant impact on the living conditions of the communities.
The situation in Sub-Saharan Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlights severe challenges in accessing clean water and adequate sanitation. Despite global progress, many countries in SSA are experiencing a decline in access, deeply impacting public health, economic stability, and overall quality of life.
The DRC’s low rates of water access and sanitation stem from a combination of factors such as poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and recurrent armed conflicts (Global Issues in Water, Sanitation, and Health, 2009). In communities like Madimba and Kimpangu, the lack of clean water supply exacerbates the hardships faced by residents, especially women who are often responsible for fetching water over long distances, which impinges on their personal development and well-being.
As part of a comprehensive national plan, the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo through the Ministry of Hydraulic Resource and Electricity, in collaboration with the SADC Groundwater Management Institute, is actively executing critical water supply projects in the communities of Madimba and Kimpangu. The primary aim of these projects is to secure sustainable access to potable water for these communities, thereby addressing the urgent health challenges posed by waterborne diseases linked to the consumption of contaminated water. “This endeavor by the government reflects a robust commitment to enhancing public health and ensuring the well-being of the residents by providing clean, safe drinking water as a fundamental human right”, said Mr. Rolly Binama, the National Focal Person for SADC-GMI activities in the DRC.
The initiatives in Madimba and Kimpangu, supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Cooperation in International Waters in Africa (CIWA) through the World Bank Group, and technically facilitated by SADC-Groundwater Management Institute, demonstrate a concerted effort to significantly improve access to clean and sustainable water in the SADC region. SADC-GMI is currently facilitating the implementation of such projects in 12 countries in the SADC region.
In Madimba the project being implemented includes drilling three 73-meter-deep production boreholes and installing motorized electronic pumps, a modern approach to ensuring efficient water extraction and distribution. Both areas (Madimba and Kimpangu) will see the implementation of a reticulated water supply with communal taps, providing convenient access points for residents and helping to distribute water evenly within the communities. In Kimpangu, the construction of a 150-meter-deep borehole is planned, demonstrating the need for deeper drilling to access aquifers and provide a reliable water source. These projects are primarily focused on providing water for domestic use, underscoring the commitment to addressing basic human needs and enhancing living standards. An estimated 7,208 people are expected to benefit directly from the program—with 2,143 in Madimba and 5,065 in Kimpangu—indicating a significant impact on the local populations.
On the 29th of February 2024, the SADC-GMI team met with Madimba and Kimpangu communities and local authorities who reflected a positive reception of the groundwater management projects implemented by SADC-GMI, indicating that the projects would improve social cohesion, safety, crime reduction, Gender Equity and improve quality of life for the communities.
Talking with the SADC-GMI team, the communities have expressed a desire to establish a dedicated fund that would serve to maintain the infrastructure post-implementation. This initiative demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability and community ownership, key factors in the ongoing success and functionality of the new water supply systems.
Despite the challenges posed by water scarcity, Agathe who resides between Madimba and Kimpangu, demonstrates resilience, she manages to cultivate groundnuts, a crop that not only provides essential nutrition for her two children but also serves as a source of income when sold in the local market.
Agathe, a 25-year-old smallholder farmer and mother of two, residing between the project’s sites (Madimba and Kumpangu) represents the majority of farmers who grapple daily with the challenges imposed by inadequate access to water. The scarcity of this vital resource not only complicates her domestic chores but also significantly restricts her agricultural productivity. Agathe shares the Madimba and Kimpangu community’s sentiment that the successful implementation of the water projects in these areas has the potential to greatly enhance their quality of life by alleviating the strain on their day-to-day activities and empowering them to improve their livelihoods.
SADC-GMI is currently implementing Sustainable Groundwater Management in SADC Member States Project Phase 2. As part of its strategic plan, SADC-GMI opened an invitation for project proposals, intending to fund pilot infrastructure initiatives within Member States. This opportunity was segmented into two categories of grants—Basic and Competitive—to foster a diverse range of submissions.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, this call to action was met with remarkable success, as both grant proposals received approval. Consequently, the DRC has been allocated up to USD 125,000 for the groundwater development project in Madimba, and USD 142,300 for the water supply project in Kimpangu. Both projects are milestones of progress and hope for their respective communities.
The Madimba project, which launched on June 19, 2023, is on a well-charted course toward completion by May 31, 2024. Meanwhile, the Kimpangu project began its vital work on November 1, 2023, and was scheduled for completion on April 30, 2024. These timelines reflect a commitment to bringing transformative change through enhanced access to groundwater resources in a timely and effective manner.