Mbale, Uganda — The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has revealed that the Mbale Water Supply and Sanitation Project is now 97 percent physically complete, with testing and commissioning activities set to begin.
The project is being implemented by the Government of Uganda through NWSC to improve access to clean and reliable water and better sanitation services in Mbale and the surrounding urban areas.
The latest progress update follows a two-day monitoring exercise and monthly project review involving teams overseeing the construction and implementation of the project.
The review brought together the project consultant, contractor and NWSC project and Area teams to assess the progress of the works and establish what remains to be done.
During the exercise, the teams visited and inspected several major facilities forming part of the water and sanitation project.
These included the Namatala–Bungokho pipeline, Musola Reservoir, Bungokho Water Treatment Plant and Manafwa Water Treatment Plant.
The inspection indicated that significant progress has been made across the different components, with a number of facilities already fully completed.
The IUIU sewerage network has reached 100 percent completion, while the sewer rehabilitation works have also been completed.
The Busoba Reservoir has similarly reached 100 percent completion, alongside public sanitation facilities and distribution lines constructed under the project.
The Namatala Water Treatment Plant has reached 98 percent completion and is now close to being ready for testing and commissioning.
The Manafwa Water Treatment Plant is also nearing completion, currently standing at 93.3 percent.
The remaining activities at the Manafwa facility include several technical tests and minor works required before the plant can be fully commissioned.
According to the progress review, the outstanding works across the project mainly involve finishing activities, testing and addressing snags identified during construction.
At the Manafwa Water Treatment Plant, teams are expected to conduct pipe and pump testing as well as water-tightness tests.
Minor finishing works will also be completed as part of the preparations for the commissioning of the facility.
The testing stage is important because it will allow the project teams to establish whether the infrastructure and equipment are operating properly and meeting the required standards.
NWSC and the other stakeholders involved in the project have agreed to conduct a joint inspection before the completed facilities are finally handed over.
The joint inspection will allow the teams to confirm the quality and completion of the works while identifying and addressing any outstanding defects.
The transition to testing and commissioning brings the project closer to becoming fully operational and serving the intended communities.
Once commissioned, the project is expected to increase the availability of safe and reliable water for residents of Mbale and surrounding towns.
The sanitation infrastructure is also expected to improve through the completed sewerage network, sewer rehabilitation works and new public sanitation facilities.
The project is expected to provide infrastructure capable of supporting the growing population and development of Mbale and neighbouring communities.
With overall physical completion now at 97 percent, NWSC and its partners are focusing on the remaining works, technical testing, joint inspection and preparations for handover.
The completion and commissioning of the project will represent a significant stage in the Government of Uganda’s ongoing efforts to improve water supply and sanitation services in Mbale and surrounding areas.
