Since more than 15 years, solidarit’eau suisse, part of the Blue Community Switzerland, supports the city of Nouakchott, capital of Mauretania, with water projects (see here in German, French or Italian). A main donnor for this project is the Swiss city of Lausanne. Now the town is collaborating with Swiss and French partners to enhance access to clean drinking water in the Mauritanian capital, helping Nouakchott to supply water to 300,000 people.
On Monday, Lausanne signed a partnership agreement in Montpellier to improve access to drinking water and sanitation in Nouakchott. The project, which will run until 2029, involves several international partners, including the International Association of French-Speaking Mayors, the French cities of Montpellier and Metz, and over 120 Swiss municipalities.
This commitment shows how cities are taking joint responsibility and, in line with the Blue Community, are taking concrete action to promote the human right to water and global solidarity.
Access to water for thousands of residents
The project aims to guarantee equitable access to water for the most vulnerable populations in the Mauritanian capital. The project will deliver tangible benefits to around 300,000 people living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Nouakchott, particularly in Toujounine and Riyadh.
Around 74,500 residents will benefit from direct access to drinking water thanks to the extension of the network, subsidised connections and the installation of new standpipes. Around 200,000 people will benefit from the sanitation component, which includes the construction of sanitary blocks in schools and a sewage sludge treatment plant.
Solidarity-based contributions based on water consumption
The project will cost around 4 million Swiss francs. The City of Lausanne and its Swiss partners have mobilised 1.5 million Swiss francs, plus 300,000 Swiss francs in technical support.
This sum is derived from an innovative voluntary mechanism whereby 1 centime is levied per cubic metre of water sold, in accordance with the principle promoted by the Solidarit’eau Suisse platform. The Nouakchott Region is contributing 17% of the overall budget, while the International Association of French-Speaking Mayors and French partners are contributing €1.45 million.
Training and awareness-raising at the heart of the project
As well as infrastructure, the project includes a significant awareness-raising and training element. More than 50,000 people, including 15,000 schoolchildren, will learn about water and hygiene issues.
Around 100 individuals will undergo specialised training in equipment maintenance and infrastructure management. The project also plans to support three departments in the Nouakchott region in obtaining ISO 9001 certification, thereby strengthening their management capacities.
Alongside the signing of the contract, a charter was signed setting out the fundamental values of the partnership: mutual trust, respect, cooperation, responsibility, efficiency and sustainability. In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the partners consider the right to water and sanitation to be a fundamental human right.
See the press release of the city of Lausanne (French)
