By Steven Enatu
SOROTI CITY
The persistent water shortages affecting residents in Soroti, Amuria, Kalaki and Kaberamaido could soon be reduced, following the near-completion of a major upgrade at the Awoja water treatment plant operated by National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC).
For years, the four districts have endured frequent dry taps, especially during power outages that disrupt production. The existing plant, built years ago when the population was much smaller, can no longer meet the current demand.
After the inspection tour of the Awoja system, NWSC Soroti Area Manager, Peter Ebwaat said the growing population, increased consumption and ageing infrastructure had stretched the system beyond its limit.
“Our system has been designed to produce between six and seven million litres per day,” he said. “But the actual demand across what used to be the traditional Soroti district now exceeds 10 million litres daily. That is why the gap has been widening.”
Ebwaat explained that even the seven million litres are only achievable when the plant is running at full power. “For example, if we have no supply or power interruptions, we usually achieve that but whenever we have power supply interruptions, our figures drop because out of probably the designed pumps we are supposed to run, we usually go back to using about only one pump with our standby generator. So, the production gets affected when we have power supply interruptions,” he said.
NWSC has been carrying out a large expansion project at the Awoja treatment station to increase production and stabilize supply to the four districts. Most of the work is now complete.
The expansion work at the plant has come with a new fourth clarifier, added to the existing three, to help remove impurities from raw water.
A new flocculator, which improves the treatment process by binding particles for faster settling, an additional filter to increase the amount of clean water produced.
Installation of five new pumps- three low-lift pumps to draw raw water from the source, and two high-lift pumps to push treated water to the reservoir on Opyai rock is also complete.
Two new surge vessels to prevent backflow and protect the system from pressure shocks is part of the additions.
A 13.5km transmission main, now 99 percent complete, which will carry water from the treatment plant to the storage tanks.
Ebwaat said the project is now at the stage of fitting the system with essential fixtures such as valves, washouts and air-release units. These are installed at the end of pipeline construction to ensure proper function and avoid airlocks.
“These final fittings take a short time. After that, the new line will be test-run,” he said.
The manager warned that customers should expect brief interruptions between Thursday and Friday as engineers connect electricity to the new pumps.
“These interruptions are necessary so we can power the new equipment. Once connected, we shall be able to run more pumps at once and increase production,” he said.
The new clarifier and supporting units are expected to add three million litres of water per day to the system, raising total production capacity to about 10 million litres, which closely matches the current demand.
Relief for Amuria Underway
Amuria has been among the worst-hit areas due to its position at the far end of the distribution line. However, Ebwaat said all pumps and fittings needed for Amuria’s improvement have already been delivered.
“The people of Amuria will testify soon,” he said. “Installation will begin within a week. Once those pumps are connected and powered, Amuria will get better service, and the water currently feeding them will be redirected to Kaberamaido and Soroti.”
Kaberamaido Plans: Independent Water Source
The manager also revealed that NWSC is conducting a technical study to establish an independent water source and treatment plant for Kaberamaido District. The study involves assessing water quality across seasons, groundwater levels, and the treatment processes required.
“I am sure the local authorities are aware that we are studying the sites that we feel might be required or might need to establish an independent treatment plant like this one which is at Awoja. But it is not something that is going to be done instantly. The study of the quality of water has to be done in every season, the dry and the wet season.
The water table there has to be studied. Then also now, how to prescribe a treatment plant for that water has to be done through a study. So National Water might not just come because now there is this pressure that tomorrow let’s carry everything and we’re going to do the plant there.” He stressed.
He said that it’s upon this basic that results are compared and then a prescribed treatment process is made and designed before a budget is allocated for the plant to be done.
“So Kaberamaido I want to assure you that National Water has you at heart and there are very many plans for you, bigger plans for you that might even benefit other communities even when that plant is being implemented there.
Despite existing supply constraints, NWSC has continued to extend water to underserved communities like Aukot, laid a 19km line from Teso College to supply Takaramiam, Omugenya, Damasico and Ijuba in Awaliwal Sub County.
Ebwaat said such works rely heavily on customer cooperation through timely bill payment.
“Most of our funding comes from customers paying their bills,” he said. “When bills delay, it becomes difficult to pay contractors, and the projects slow down.”
The expansion works are being undertaken by Updeal, a firm that has previously implemented similar NWSC projects in Lira. The project started around 2019 but was slowed down by the COVID-19 pandemic and a decline in revenue collections during the lockdown period.
Ebwaat said NWSC expects the contractor to hand over the upgraded line by December. Once commissioned, the improvements are expected to significantly stabilize water access for thousands of residents across the four districts.
