The Guma Valley Water Company (GVWC) is grappling with a major issue, as 60% of its water is classified as Non-Revenue Water (NRW), according to the World Bank’s 2024 report on Sierra Leone’s water supply. NRW stems from physical losses, such as leaks (40-45%), and commercial losses, including theft and faulty meters (15-20%). This unbilled water severely impacts GVWC’s finances and operational efficiency.
The high NRW levels lead to revenue losses and complicate water resource management. To address these issues, the report suggests reducing leaks, improving commercial practices, and attracting investments to increase supply capacity.
GVWC also faces a supply-demand gap. Current demand is 190 million litres per day (MLD), expected to rise to 313 MLD by 2030, while the company can only supply 75 MLD. Water rationing and community supply programs have not fully addressed these challenges, resulting in poor service delivery and infrastructure degradation.
Service quality remains a concern, with only 24% of customers satisfied with the reliability and 22% with the water quality. Households receive water for about four days a week, averaging just 0.27 hours per day.
Despite efforts to boost revenue, GVWC has struggled to meet financial targets, with collection efficiency at 72% and tariffs far below comparable utilities. Urgent reforms and investments are needed to improve service, reduce NRW, and ensure financial sustainability.
