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The Malawi Water and Sanitation Project-1 (MWSP-1) — Improving Water & Sanitation Access in Blantyre
The Malawi Water and Sanitation Project-1 (MWSP-1) is a key initiative aimed at increasing access to improved water services and safely managed sanitation services across the City of Blantyre. It is funded by the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank and the Government of Malawi. The Blantyre Water Board (BWB) is the primary implementing agency working in close collaboration with the Blantyre City Council (BCC). BWB manages project planning, procurement, finance, monitoring, evaluation, and safeguards, while BCC supports the sanitation component’s smooth delivery.
Who Benefits From The Project?
Approximately 1.4 million residents of Blantyre and surrounding areas are expected to benefit from the MWSP-1
- 330,000 people gaining improved water supply services.
- 100,000 people receiving improved sanitation from sewerage network rehabilitation and upgrades.
- 480,000 people benefiting from improved solid waste management, including a new Recycling Plant and Engineered Landfill (RPEL).
Objective
Increase access to improved water supply and sanitation in the Blantyre Metropolitan Area while enhancing the operational and financial efficiency of the Blantyre Water Board.
Project Duration
The MWSP-1 is a 5-year project which started on 6 June 2023 and is scheduled to conclude in March 2029.
Project Cost & Financing
The total project cost is approximately USD 148.5 million, financed by:
- An IDA grant of USD 145.0 million.
- The Government of Malawi's contribution of USD 3.5 million dedicated to the Resettlement Action Plan implementation.
Key Project Components
Water Supply Improvement
Investments focus on rehabilitating and upgrading water infrastructure, including:
- Rehabilitation of Mudi intake and water treatment plant to increase supply resilience.
- Upgrading water transmission from Chileka to Blantyre, including reservoirs and solar-powered pumping stations.
- Replacing aged pipes and reducing leaks to minimize water and energy loss.
- Expanding the distribution network with smart water kiosks in selected zones.
- Technical assistance for engineering designs and safeguards implementation.
Priority Sanitation Investments
These interventions aim to improve sanitation and reduce pollution through:
- Rehabilitating wastewater treatment plants and interceptors to prevent river pollution and methane capture.
- Constructing a new solid waste Recycling Plant and Engineered Landfill (RPEL) in Chigumula.
- Upgrading public sanitation facilities in schools, clinics, and markets with accessibility and menstrual hygiene management features.
- Sanitation marketing strategies to encourage adoption in metropolitan areas.
- Technical assistance for design, tariff assessment, bylaws, and safeguards.
Institutional Capacity Strengthening
Strengthening capacity through:
- Addressing climate change risks and enhancing Blantyre Water Board’s financial and governance systems.
- Improving Blantyre City Council’s sanitation management and climate adaptation.
- Supporting sector-wide investment planning and policy development for sustainability.
Project Implementation Arrangements
Blantyre Water Board leads implementation with support from Blantyre City Council and the Ministry of Water and Sanitation.
A dedicated Project Implementation Unit (PIU) at BWB manages day-to-day operations, while Project Support Teams (PSTs) at BCC and MoWS provide coordination.
Complaints related to the project are handled centrally by the PIU at Blantyre Water Board.