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water woes in togo

kokou elorm amegadze, friends of the earth togo

Togolese people, especially those living in the interior of the country, have a range of problems relating to water. In some cases there are serious water shortages, while in other areas water is plentiful but mismanaged and heavily polluted. Until 2003, the production, supply and purification of water in Togo was undertaken exclusively by La Régie Nationale des Eaux du Togo. In 2004, however, management of the country's water supplies was transferred to the Société Togolaise des Eaux, no longer a state monopoly with exclusive rights relating to drinking water and waste water treatment, but a more commercial and results-oriented company. This has resulted in people having to pay for water from pumps that was previously free. To date, privatization does not appear to have increased the number of urban consumers having access to water and sanitation. Furthermore, turning water into an economic good makes it increasingly unlikely that supplies to poor, unprofitable rural areas will be improved. The people of Togo urgently need improved water supplies and sanitation, but privatization and the possible liberalization of services do not appear to offer viable solutions. Friends of the Earth Togo is focusing on alternative ways forward, including public education about water management and the building of free public fountains.

water solutions in the village of kovié sévého

People living in the village of Kovié Sévého, some 30 kilometres from Lomé, struggle to collect water. Although most houses have their own water tanks, rusted roofs and gutters mean that the quantity and quality of water collected during the rainy seasons is very poor. Some cisterns are located on the ground to catch surface water, but this is heavily polluted. In the dry season, villagers have to rely on the waters of the river Zio some ten kilometres away.

The people of Kovié Sévého suffer from increased levels of disease and dehydration. There is not enough water for bathing and cleaning. Women and children, who are primarily responsible for collecting water from the river, are often very tired. There are frequent brawls around the water points.

However, the villagers have made efforts to solve their problems. Those that can afford to maintain their roofs sell their ‘drinkable'water to others at low rates. In addition, a marshy basin has been built nearby to retain additional water.