The Government of South Sudan inaugurates a transformative and durable urban water supply system in Bor Town

The Government of the Republic of South Sudan, through the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI) and South Sudan Urban Water Corporation (SSUWC), in collaboration with UNICEF and supported by the Governments of the Netherlands and the Republic of Korea through KOICA, has launched the Bor Urban Water Supply System. This transformative and durable initiative provides safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water to over 96,000 residents of Bor town, Jonglei State.

This initiative marks a significant milestone in South Sudan’s efforts to achieve long-term, durable solutions, strengthen climate-resilient and sustainable urban water supply systems, and ensure that vulnerable communities have access to safe water supply and improved sanitation services.

The newly inaugurated urban water system includes the construction of a new conventional water treatment plant of 4,800 cubic metres per day capacity, raised above the flood line, equipped water quality laboratory, 28 water kiosks, an expanded to 53km distribution pipe network, a tanker filling station, and a 750-cubic-metre steel storage tank that serves the town’s growing population. The use of an off-grid solar energy system (240 kWp) reduces operational costs, carbon emissions, and dependency on diesel-powered generators, making it one of the country’s climate-resilient and environmentally friendly public water infrastructure projects in South Sudan to date.

Hon. James Mawich Makuach, Minister, Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, 
“I am very grateful on behalf of the Government of South Sudan for the commissioning of the new Bor urban water project, which will go a long way to prevent water-related diseases and improve people’s health in Bor town. I urge all users to pay for the water and the Bor water utility station to manage the system sustainably.”

“I am very happy that the people of Bor now have access to safe drinking water. In order to sustain this water service delivery, the public should pay their water bills on time, and the authorities should use the revenues to improve the system,” said H.E. Paul Tholen, Ambassador, Netherlands.

Access to clean water not only helps prevent waterborne diseases among children and families but also promotes gender equality by reducing the long and often unsafe journeys that women and girls must make to collect water.

“Access to clean and safe water is fundamental to children’s health, nutrition, and overall well-being. We believe the upgraded Bor Water Supply System represents a transformative step toward ensuring reliable and sustainable water for all, while fostering a healthier and more resilient community. It will not only enhance public health but also restore dignity to women and girls by easing the burden of severe water stress previously experienced in Bor”, said H.E. Park Sungsoo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea.

“Beyond this project, the Republic of Korea has been contributing to peace and reconstruction efforts in Jonglei State through the Hanbit Unit of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) peacekeeping mission and will continue to support South Sudan across all areas of humanitarian, development, and peace (HDP) assistance,” noted H.E. Park Sungsoo.

“Access to clean and safe water is not just about meeting basic needs but giving every child the chance to grow up healthy, to learn and thrive. The Bor Water Supply System has the potential to transform lives, empower women and girls, and build resilience against climate change. UNICEF is grateful to the partners and donors who have supported this idea from the beginning and who have made this ambitious vision a reality,” said Noala Skinner, UNICEF Representative in South Sudan.

The Bor Urban Water Supply System represents a durable solution model for sustainable, climate-resilient water management in South Sudan, fostering peacebuilding, improving health outcomes, and promoting socio-economic opportunities through job creation and improved hygiene in schools and communities.

About the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI) and South Sudan Urban Water Corporation (SSUWC)

The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation leads national efforts to ensure sustainable water management, equitable distribution, and the development of infrastructure that supports economic growth and human well-being across South Sudan. It works through the South Sudan Urban Water Corporation (SSUWC) a public utility owned by the government of the Republic of South Sudan mandated by the President through South Sudan Act 2011 to provide safe and clean drinking water to the citizens of the country in the Urban Areas

About the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in South Sudan

The Netherlands supports South Sudan’s development through programs focused on sustainable water management, climate resilience, food security, and peacebuilding — promoting long-term stability and improved living standards for all.