Africa-Press – Eswatini. The Eswatini Water Services Corporation (EWSC) continues to make significant progress in expanding access to clean and safe drinking water across the country, reaffirming its commitment to providing reliable water and sanitation services in Eswatini.
According to the 2024 Global Environmental Performance Index (EPI), 96 percent of urban households in Eswatini now have access to potable water, with 95 percent having piped water directly on their premises.
The index ranks Eswatini’s water quality and access levels as having a medium-high status of water management implementation, despite disparities that still exist between urban and rural areas.
EWSC Public Relations and Communications Specialist, Hlobile Jele, said this achievement reflects the Corporation’s continued investment in infrastructure and its dedication to ensuring access to safe and reliable drinking water.
“Through sustained investment in infrastructure and strategic partnerships, EWSC continues to work towards ensuring that EWSC customers have access to safe and reliable water,” Jele said.
She noted that while the Corporation’s mandate under the Water Services Corporation Act primarily focuses on providing water and sanitation services in urban areas, EWSC — guided by government — has extended its operations to rural Eswatini through targeted water expansion projects.
“These initiatives are part of our broader effort to support equitable water access across the country,” Jele explained. “Working closely with government and development partners, we are implementing several projects aimed at improving the quality of life in underserved communities.”
Jele said EWSC maintains strict water quality controls to ensure that all treated water meets both national and international standards.
“The water treatment process begins at EWSC’s treatment plants, where raw water from rivers, dams, and streams goes through several carefully monitored stages before being distributed to customers,” she said.
“Our laboratories continuously test samples to ensure that the water remains clean, safe, and fit for human consumption.”
She added that EWSC’s commitment to quality extends beyond treatment, with continuous monitoring of the distribution network to prevent contamination, maintain infrastructure, and swiftly respond to reported issues.“While EWSC maintains strict water quality controls, occasional issues such as pipe bursts or maintenance works may cause temporary discolouration or ingress of sediment.
Customers are encouraged to support the quest of high quality water by promptly reporting such incidents through EWSC’s available platforms — including the EWSC Mobile App, WhatsApp chatbot Temanti 7806 5000, or Customer Contact Centre 800 5000,” Jele said.
Among EWSC’s major infrastructure milestones is the Ezulwini Sanitation Project, which saw the construction of a 115-megalitre reservoir and the installation of 12 community water kiosks in areas such as Emashibhini, Lobamba, Ezulwini, and Egelekeceni.
The project has greatly improved access to potable water and sanitation services in the region.
Currently underway is the Eswatini Water Supply and Sanitation Access Project (EWSSAP) — a large-scale initiative between Nhlangano and Siphambanweni that will benefit over 11,000 emaSwati through improved access to clean water.
The project includes the construction of three reservoirs, a pump station, and new transmission pipelines, as well as additional water kiosks in Zombodze, Hosea, and Shiselweni.
In the Manzini Region, EWSC is also implementing the Manzini Water Supply and Sanitation Project, launched in February 2024, to enhance the city’s water infrastructure and meet growing demand.
The project features the construction of pump stations, treatment facilities, reservoirs, and 25 community water kiosks to improve accessibility and distribution efficiency going beyond the city centre to communities in the region such as Mfutseni, Mtfongwaneni, Manzini North, Manzini South and Nhlambeni area.“These projects underscore our commitment to ensuring that emaSwati whether in urban centres or rural communities have access to clean, safe, and sustainable water,” Jele concluded.
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