KIFFA eau: A partnership for sustainable water management and community well-being
(5/6) Discover today how the “KIFFA Eau” project led by Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole (France) contributes to the well-being of the people of Kiffa (Mauritania), while building local capacity for sustainable and autonomous management of water resources, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. This is one of the 6 shortlisted projects for the final phase of the PLATFORMAwards, our prize to reward the best practices in decentralised development cooperation. The jury will announce the names of the 3 finalists on 1st April in Seville (Spain). Register to the World Forum of Local Economic Development (WFLED) to attend the award ceremony.
(Projects are sorted by alphabetical order)
The “KIFFA Eau” project is an international cooperation initiative led by Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole in collaboration with the Municipality of Kiffa in Mauritania. The aim of the project is to improve access to drinking water in this Sahelian region, which faces difficult climatic conditions and limited water resources, in a complicated geopolitical context.
Main objectives of the project
The “KIFFA Water” project has specific objectives in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- Improving access to drinking water: reducing water stress for the inhabitants of Kiffa by increasing the availability and quality of drinking water.
- Strengthen water infrastructures: set up, renovate and optimise local infrastructures for access to water.
- Developing local skills: training local technicians and managers to manage water resources sustainably.
- Raising awareness of good practice: Promoting hygiene and water management among local residents.
Final results expected from this project
- Increase the combined water production of the Kiffa catchment fields from 2,150 to 3,250 m3/day (+ 1,100 m3/day compared with the current situation).
- To enable 75% of the population living in the outlying districts (i.e. around 22,000 people) to have a working standpipe nearby or to be supplied regularly by municipal vehicles carrying water tanks.
- Reduce the purchase price of water in the outlying districts of Kiffa.
The expected results of this project include
- Increased drinking water coverage for the population of Kiffa, with reliable and sustainable infrastructure.
- The autonomy of local players in the management and maintenance of hydraulic installations.
- Improved public health thanks to better access to water and increased awareness of hygiene practices.
- Reducing disparities in access to water, particularly for remote rural communities.
Achievements to date
To date, the “KIFFA Eau” project has enabled:
- Helping the town council to set up a water service
- Recruitment of a qualified technician
- Acquisition of a vehicle dedicated to the project
- Creation tools for drafting and monitoring contracts
- Drawing up a diagnosis of the drinking water supply in the commune: identification of the location and sizing of the networks, extensions and drawing up a diagnosis of access to hygiene services.
- Start of the first rehabilitation works on 5 standpipes
Specific contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The project contributes directly to:
- SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation by providing infrastructure for access to drinking water and sanitation.
- SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities by helping Kiffa to build a base of quality urban services.
- SDG 13: Combating climate change: by optimising the use and distribution water, the project is helping to reduce dependence on the limited resource of water, which is essential in a context of increased climate variability.
The “KIFFA Eau” project contributes to the well-being of the people of Kiffa, while building local capacity for sustainable and autonomous management of water resources, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
