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Improving Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation in Coastal Suriname

Project

Water and Sanitation

This project is carried out with the support of the European Union

station de traitement des eaux usées, Moengo, Suriname
© AFD
Project start date
Status

Ongoing

AFD financing amount
16 000 000 €
Country and region
Suriname
Location
Paramaribo, Lelydorp, Moengo, Ricanaumofo, Abadoekondre
Type of financing
Delegation of European Union Funds, Loan, Grant
Beneficiaries
SWM, Ministry of Public Works
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The content of this project information sheet falls under the sole responsibility of the AFD and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the European Union.

The project contributes to the welfare of Suriname’s growing urban population through the supply of safe drinking water, based on sustainable water resource management.

Contexte

Suriname benefits from abundant water resources, with an availability of 230 000 m³ per capita per year. However, the supply of drinking water depends mainly on groundwater resources, coming mostly from confined aquifers that are not rechargeable.  

The drinking water supply in the main urban centers is managed by the public company N.V. Surinaamsche Waterleiding Maatschappij (SWM). Suriname has achieved the Millennium Development Goals in terms of access to drinking water with SWM supplying 98% of the population. Yet, it is necessary to prepare a response to the challenges the country is facing regarding water supply: accommodate the growing demand for drinking water and make the transition towards sustainable water resources management. 

The issue of drainage and sanitation is also critical in the context of the urban demographic growth of the country. Currently, wastewaters are drained through open-air channels and discharged into the environment. The impacts on the Environment and Health must be taken into account.

Descriptif

The project consists of two components:

  • Water Supply System Improvement. This component will consist in new production and distribution capacity in Paramaribo and Moengo. The capacity of the largest production site in Paramaribo will double (2,000 m3 per hour), bridging the gap between water supply and demand in the Paramaribo region. As a complement to this investment, a centralized SCADA system will be also set up.  In Moengo, the only surface water treatment plant of the country will be replaced and its capacity restored to 200 m3 per hour. The new plant will also supply water to new surrounding villages.
  • Strategic Water Supply Planning. In the wake of the significant adjustments that are carried out in the water sector organization, the update of strategic planning tools is necessary, including the update of Suriname Water Supply Master Plan for the Coastal Area, the elaboration of a precise financial analysis of the sector, and associated awareness-raising campaign. Finally, an integrated approach of the water cycle would be conducted with a focus on wastewater in Paramaribo and in Moengo.

Impacts

  • Sustainable improvement of drinking water supply in both urban and rural areas
  • Contribution to the transition towards sustainable water resources management
  • Improvement of living and health conditions for the new users of the water service in newly connected villages
  • Strengthening of Suriname Water Sector