OVERVIEW

The Kabul Urban Water Supply (KUWS) Project, implemented by the German Development Bank (KfW) at the request of the Afghan Government, is building the backbone water infrastructure to provide 50 percent of Kabul’s population with pipe-based drinking water and access to basic sanitation systems. The current piped-water system operated by the Afghanistan Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Company covers the needs of less than 20 percent of the Kabul population. The goal of the KUWS Project is to improve the urban water system, reducing heath risks and improving livelihoods for the citizens of Kabul.

KUWS constitutes one component of the four-phase Mid-Term Program, of which KfW is the lead financer, designed to expand and improve the existing water supply network in Kabul. USAID is funding a $20 million portion of the second phase, which supports the construction and installation of new wells, a pumping station, and a drinking water storage tank. Other contributions include $1.4m from the Government of Greece, $56.3 million from KfW, and $13.5 million from the French Development Agency (AFD). The financing agreement between donors was signed in March 2014. A precondition of the donors to begin implementation was the passage by the Afghan Government to provide legal protection for the land around the aquifer. This policy was passed in October 2015, and implementation began shortly afterwards. Construction is expected to begin in the first half of 2016 and to be completed in 2018.

ACTIVITIES

• Support the construction and installation of wells and a pumping station at the Logar II well field, one of several major sources of Kabul’s water.
• Construction of a new water storage reservoir, including the supply and installation of the tanks, piping, valves, and electrical systems for the 5,000 m3 capacity reservoir.
• Install water transmission pipes and pump station for water distribution.

EXPECTED RESULTS

• Provide new house connections for approximately 135,000 people.
• Achieve water quality that meets World Health Organization standards.
• Reduce health risks and improve livelihoods by providing an improved drinking water supply.
• Improve drinking water quality through use of continuous disinfection.
• Increase the availability of water in the supply area to 24 hours/day.
• Reduce interruptions of water supply in the new service area.
• Designate water protection zones and adopt protection measures for the drainage area of the Logar well fields.