By Denis Morris Mimbugbe

Water and sanitation hygiene (WASH) presents a major public health challenge in South Sudan, with families going to bed without drinking safe water, severely impacting many households. 

Betty Elias, a resident of Juba Nabari and mother of five, highlighted the dire situation, stating that “it’s incredibly challenging to access water in our area. There are times when we go without drinking water for more than three days.”

She also expresses frustration over the inadequate road conditions in their community, which frequently impede water truck deliveries, “making it impossible for us even to carry out basic tasks like laundry.”

Despite the White Nile River passing through South Sudan, clean water remains a costly commodity. A drum of clean water from water tank trucks costs 3,000 South Sudanese pounds, approximately $2.

Amidst the challenges, Betty took matters into her own hands by drilling an underground water well, approximately four meters deep, to alleviate the burden of high water costs.

She says she excavated this water due to the demand. “It serves as a backup when there’s no water available from the tank.”

Her family and other community members now utilize it for laundry, cooking, and various tasks, but “it’s unsuitable for drinking due to its salinity,” as she notes.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Frances Wajo, a water scientist, stressed the severity of the issue, stressing that access to clean water remains a significant challenge.

He says, many families lack access to drinking water and rely on limited water tank supplies, emphasizing that, “extending water access to households is crucial.”

Wajo emphasized that groundwater is the main drinking water source, especially in rural regions, but it carries notable risks due to pollution.

According to Wajo, the pollution in South Sudan is primarily caused by the extensive petroleum mining industry, which affects the quality of groundwater.

He also says that, “chemicals from agriculture and mining activities contribute to groundwater pollution”, which intensifies the environmental concerns.

According to UNICEF, fifty-nine percent of the population in South Sudan lacks access to safe drinking water with just 10 percent having improved sanitation. The majority are exposed to contaminated water, leading to waterborne diseases such as cholera and other diseases.

According to USAID, oil extraction in the central floodplains of Jonglei, Lakes, and Upper Nile has contributed to surface and groundwater quality risks. Pipe leakage and spills have contaminated surface water, while seepage from oil fields has increased salinity and concentrations of heavy metals in groundwater.

The water sector in South Sudan is highly fragmented at both national and subnational levels, with many institutions lacking clear roles and responsibilities.

Pal Mai, the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, states that funding from the African Development Bank and the World Bank will facilitate the expansion of clean water access to households in both urban and rural areas.

He notes that with backing from the African Development Bank and the World Bank for climate crisis mitigation, “we’re now delivering safe drinking water to both urban and rural populations.”

However, despite these efforts, government and donor support for integrated water resources management has been a lower priority compared to other sectors, exacerbating the challenges faced by communities struggling with water insecurity.

Initiatives to ensure access to safe drinking water

The Government and its partners, including UNICEF and the German Embassy, have implemented a water supply system to serve over 45,600 residents of Yambio with clean and safe water, aiming to enhance health and improve lives.

UNICEF representative to South Sudan, Hamida Lasseko emphasizes the significance of providing safe drinking water, stating that, “this is a vital development for the population in Yambio.”

Lasseko insists that access to clean, accessible water is not just a necessity but a fundamental human right, stressing that, “It marks a positive step towards resilience-based development in South Sudan.”

Magol Gabeirl Marial, the Director General for Information of South Sudan Urban Water Cooperation, reveals plans to expand water treatment facilities to provide safe drinking water to the population.

He notes that with support from the government of Japan, the government of South Sudan is currently providing clean drinking water to over 500,000 people.

However, one problem is that “despite our efforts, the gap between demand and supply remains significant, “citing the fact that, while the recommended daily water consumption per person is 130 litres, “we are only able to provide 60 litres per person per day.”

The current water treatment plant, constructed by the Japanese government has incurred a cost of over 64 million United States dollars.

The water treatment plant, which commenced construction in December 2013 and was completed at 64 million USD, was officially handed over to South Sudan on March 16, 2023.

Michael Sanya, the area chief of Hai Kwit Munuki, laments the prolonged water shortage experienced by citizens over the past five years. He highlights the increasing expense of water, urging the water authority to make it more affordable for the population.

Sanya stresses the severity of the water problem, highlighting the recent increase in water prices from “1,000 to 2,500 South Sudanese pounds per drum.”

With households needing five to six drums daily, the cost has become unmanageable. He urges the government to take action to make water affordable for all citizens.

Chief Sanya underscores that water access challenges extend beyond urban areas to rural regions, particularly during the dry season. He expresses concern for the safety of women who must travel long distances to fetch water, citing instances of rape and abduction along the way.

Pal Mai Deng, the National Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, affirms the government’s commitment to providing safe and clean drinking water to the citizens.

He declares the government’s plan to establish water treatment facilities with expanded capacity, aiming to provide household water connections for all individuals.

Minister Deng says the initiative will begin in Juba and expand to state capitals, with a priority on providing safe drinking water to rural populations through water stations.

However, Betty Elias expressed scepticism regarding the government’s promises.

“They always say that, but in reality, they don’t follow through. I don’t believe the government is truly committed to fulfilling what they promise,” Betty states.

On 3rd June 2024 the President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, signed the Compact on Water and Sanitation initiative which is one of the major milestones to ensure the rights of all citizens to have access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

The Compact on Water and Sanitation is a significant step toward improving the water and sanitation situation in the country.

South Sudanese citizens have immensely suffered the impact of climate-related, social and economic challenges since independence in 2011.

“Safe water and a clean living environment are critical for a country to grow and prosper. Therefore, the Government must provide an enabling environment for the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector to develop, manage and review policies, strategies, and guidelines, including passing the Water Bill into an Act,” said President Kiir.

The Compact on Water and Sanitation is a crucial component of groundbreaking efforts to advance water, sanitation and hygiene services in South Sudan.

South Sudan is the first country on the continent and the second in the world to sign the Compact by a Head of State.

A key goal of the Compact is to ensure that by 2030, South Sudan is Open Defecation Free, the government will lead implementation programs supported by partners to improve access to critical services to achieve this ambitious goal.

Climate change and water quality in South Sudan

South Sudan has experienced profound effects of climate change over the last four years, intensifying water-related difficulties. As per the April 2023 report by the World Food Program, South Sudan was listed among the top eight countries worldwide most affected by climate change. Particularly concerning is the heightened risk of floods, expected to exacerbate the situation further. The World Bank has ranked South Sudan as the seventh most vulnerable country globally to these climate shifts.

In recent years, frequent droughts, particularly in the south-east and north-east regions, have adversely affected various activities, including agriculture, leading to water scarcity for domestic use.

Magol highlights climate change as a key factor hindering water supply and treatment. He explains that heavy rainfall leads to cloudy water, impacting production, while dry spells worsen water quality and distribution. He explains that “stable weather conditions enable us to pump sufficient water, approximately 10,800 litres per day.”

Pal Mai Deng reiterates the severe impact of climate change on water availability and quality.

He laments that over the last four years, South Sudan has experienced massive flooding, submerged boreholes and disrupted water supply, exacerbating hygiene and sanitation issues.

This, according to Pal Mai Deng, has led to poor water quality, which poses risks to public health.

Recently, the economic cluster, headed by Vice President Dr. James Wani Igga, unveiled a $9 million budget allocation to procure hundreds of water tanks, with the objective of mitigating prevailing water scarcities and driving down prices in urban areas, a move widely covered by local media outlets, including Eye Radio.

Recently, the economic cluster, led by Vice President Dr. James Wani Igga, announced a $9 million budget allocation to purchase hundreds of water tanks, aiming to alleviate current water shortages and reduce prices in towns. Most local media reported including Eye Radio

However, this move faced widespread criticism from the public and civil society groups, with demands for prioritizing household pipe connections over water tank purchases.

The continued conflict in South Sudan has greatly affected the institutional development most especially the water sectors which has resulted in the poor performance of the institutions in the country across the ministry with great impact on human and financial resource constraints affecting planning, monitoring, and management systems. These, paired with widespread poverty, contribute to local water insecurity.

There has been low support from the government and partners to water sector development for integrated water resources management, including drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene.

If the world and the government of South Sudan are concerned about the life of the people, provision of access to clean and safe drinking water for the citizens should be prioritized as one of the key projects to save lives, as we believe water is life. 

This story has been produced with support from InfoNile and with funding from JRS Biodiversity Foundation and IHE Delft’s Water and Development Partnership Program. It’s a collaborative effort between Journalist Denis Morris Mimbugbe and the Researcher Mr Frances Wajo, the director of policy and Regulation, at South Sudan National Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.