DEG co-finances supply of drinking water for hospitals in East Africa

Hospitals in many parts of Tanzania and Kenya lack a reliable supply of drinking water. The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated the situation, as many hospitals were forced to increase their bed capacity. Trucks now frequently deliver the water that is needed to meet the additional demand. While the tanks are being transported and emptied, however, the water can quickly become contaminated with viruses and bacteria.

This is where the Kenyan firm, WaterKiosk Ltd., and its Berlin sister company, Boreal Light GmbH, come in. WaterKiosk has specialised in renewable energy solutions for water treatment facilities and sells, installs and maintains solar-powered water desalination plants that are developed by Boreal Light. These systems convert very saline or contaminated water resources into hygienic drinking, irrigation and sanitation water.

Together the two companies have set themselves the goal of equipping hospitals in East Africa with solar-powered drinking water treatment facilities. DEG is supporting this project to the tune of some EUR 3 million from the develoPPP programme.

WaterKiosk also offers dedicated training for employees in the facility management departments of the hospitals that will enable them keep the systems operating with the minimum of disruption. In addition, the company is passing on its expertise in the development of the systems by holding seminars for local students and staff from the health sector.

Drinking water for over 6 million people

The end of February saw the successful installation of what is already the 29th solar-powered water treatment facility. It is now producing drinking water for Lodwar Hospital in western Kenya.

In total, over 6 million patients in Tanzania and Kenya are now supplied with high-quality drinking water every year. Operating the treatment facilities with solar power also helps to save more than 23,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year.