Water supply in South Sudan

Water supply and sanitation in Southern Sudan
Flag of South Sudan
Data
Water coverage (broad definition)(improved water source) c. 50%
Continuity of supplynot available
Average urban water use (L/person/day)not available
Average urban water and sanitation tariff (US$/m3)not available
Share of household meteringlow
Annual investment in WSSunknown
Share of self-financing by utilitieslow to none
Share of tax-financinglow to none
Share of external financinghigh
Institutions
Decentralization to municipalitiesNo
National water and sanitation companySouth Sudan Urban Water Corporation (SSUWC)
Water and sanitation regulatorNone
Responsibility for policy settingMinistry of Water Resources and Irrigation
Sector lawNo

Water supply in Southern Sudan is faced with numerous challenges. Although the White Nile runs through the country, water is scarce during the dry season in areas that are not located on the river.

About half the population does not have access to an improved water source, defined as a protected well, standpipe or a handpump within 1 km. The few existing piped water supply systems are often not well maintained and the water they provide is often not safe to drink.

Displaced people returning home put a huge strain on infrastructure, and the government institutions in charge of the sector are weak. Substantial external funding from numerous government agencies and non-governmental organizations is available to improve water supply.