Distribution System Condition Assessment for Guma Valley Water Company, Sierra Leone

摘要

This paper discusses a condition assessment for a water distribution network in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The water supply for Freetown comes from seasonal rainfall which is stored within multiple catchments located in the hills above the city. The water supply is dispersed via gravity to a series of reservoirs and through a distribution network, comprised of approximately 170 mi of pipelines originally constructed in the early 1900s, and significantly expanded by the Guma Valley Water Company (GVWC) in the 1960s. The water leakage rate is estimated to range between 35% and 40% system-wide, and the most significant contributors to overall water leakage are exposed pipes and low quality plastic service connections, referred to as "spaghetti" pipes. The study evaluated the condition of the physical pipe network, underlying issues related to leakage, water quality implications, and recommended improvements for rehabilitation.