Access to clean drinking water remains a major challenge in South Sudan , with 59% of the population still lacking this vital resource. However, with international assistance, the country is striving to develop its infrastructure. A significant step forward was taken in Bor , the capital of Jonglei State, with the inauguration of a large water purification plant on Thursday, November 6.

A transformative impact on daily life

Already operational since May, this structure, funded by the Dutch and Korean governments through UNICEF, draws water from the Nile. It now serves 80% of Bor's population, or 96,000 inhabitants , providing access to clean water that radically changes their daily lives.

1. For households with connections: Achol Teresa Jok testifies to this transformation. Since her house was connected, she has been able to create a flourishing vegetable garden (okra, coffee, mango trees).

"Until last year, fetching water from the well could take up to an hour for a single jerrycan. Now, all household chores are much easier." The sale of her agricultural products allows her to pay her water bill, set at an affordable rate (50 euro cents per cubic meter), and even to help her elderly or disabled neighbors for free.

1. For the majority: Even though few households are directly connected, the population benefits from the station via nearly 30 water kiosks open twelve hours a day. Nyandong Chan explains the improvement:

“This kiosk isn’t far and the water is clean, which is good for our health. Before, we used to take dirty water directly from the Nile and people got sick.” The women still make several daily trips on foot to fetch the necessary water, but the improved quality has eliminated a major source of illness.

A sustainable management model

In this country, weakened by its recent independence (2011), the civil war (2013-2018) and recurring health problems – such as the cholera epidemic which has killed more than 1,500 people this year, exacerbated by floods and the influx of refugees – aid from donors is crucial.

However, the sustainability of such projects depends on local authorities. Yar Paul, director of the South Sudan Urban Water Corporation (SSUWC), which oversees the five national stations, details the economic model.

1. Affordable pricing: SSUWC operates on a business model designed to remain affordable for the public. The current focus is on operation, maintenance, and development, not yet on generating profit.
2. Solar technology: The Bor station is considered the "best model in the country" thanks to its solar power generation equipment . This significantly reduces electricity costs, allowing for very low prices for customers.

The director emphasizes that, while Bor is well-served, the needs remain immense elsewhere. Faced with the spread of cholera, particularly in Malakal and Renk, the SSUWC's priority is now to combat these water-related health problems in these Upper Nile regions.