Liberia Municipal Water Project II - Year 2 Quarterly Report 3: April - June 2018

Building upon the achievements of the Liberia Municipal Water Project (LMWP), LMWP II aims to provide capacity building and institutional strengthening support to the Liberia Water and Sewerage Corporation (LWSC) and the relevant Government of Liberia (GoL) counterparts. The project objective is to assist LWSC in establishing improved water supply access in each city, with infrastructure managed and operated by locally based entities capable of sustaining the service both financially and technically. The project focuses on three key areas: institutional strengthening, capacity building, and infrastructure development. Institutional strengthening involves supporting LWSC in adopting and implementing an institutional framework and business model for sustainable management of water provision. Capacity building includes training and technical assistance to LWSC staff and local stakeholders to enhance their skills and knowledge in water supply management. Infrastructure development involves the construction and rehabilitation of water treatment plants, pumping stations, and distribution networks. In the second year of the project, significant progress was made in achieving the project objectives. Key achievements during the third quarter of the second year (April-June 2018) include the completion of the institutional framework and business model for sustainable management of water provision, the implementation of quality assurance services, and the transitional management of water supply improvements. The project also made progress in capacity building, with training and technical assistance provided to LWSC staff and local stakeholders. The project faced several challenges during the quarter, including delays in the construction of the water treatment plant in Voinjama and issues with the procurement of equipment and materials. However, the project team worked closely with the LWSC and other stakeholders to address these challenges and ensure the successful implementation of the project. The project has made significant progress in achieving its objectives, with improved water supply access in the project target cities. The project has also strengthened the capacity of LWSC and local stakeholders to manage and operate water supply infrastructure. The project continues to work towards its goal of establishing improved water supply access in each city, with infrastructure managed and operated by locally based entities capable of sustaining the service both financially and technically. The project's performance monitoring plan (PMP) indicators show a 27% increase in water supply coverage in the project target cities compared to the baseline. The project has also made progress in reducing non-revenue water (NRW) and improving water quality. The project continues to work towards its goal of reducing NRW to 20% and improving water quality to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. The project's financial status report shows that the project has made significant progress in achieving its financial objectives. The project has received funding from USAID and has made significant progress in utilizing these funds to support the project activities. The project continues to work towards its goal of achieving financial sustainability and reducing its dependence on external funding. The project's institutional strengthening activities during the quarter included the completion of the institutional framework and business model for sustainable management of water provision. The project also made progress in capacity building, with training and technical assistance provided to LWSC staff and local stakeholders. The project's infrastructure development activities during the quarter included the construction and rehabilitation of water treatment plants, pumping stations, and distribution networks. The project's procurement plan update shows that the project has made significant progress in procuring equipment and materials. The project has also made progress in implementing quality assurance services and transitional management of water supply improvements. The project continues to work towards its goal of establishing improved water supply access in each city, with infrastructure managed and operated by locally based entities capable of sustaining the service both financially and technically.