Multi-sector partnership to provide safe, affordable water supplies to African regions

Water for the World project in Nairobi, Kenya. (Photo credit: WSUP) May 14, 2014 -- A partnership has been formed among Water for the World™ -- a joint Borealis and Borouge Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program -- Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP), and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) to supply the city of Nairobi, Kenya's Mukuru Sinai and Korogocho informal settlements in Africa with improved access to drinking water. This endeavor will be achieved through a planned approach to network design using high-quality PE pipes and pre-paid water dispensers to provide water at a tenth of what residents currently pay to private water vendors. An estimated 56,000 of Nairobi's poorest residents will benefit from the program initiated by the four partner organizations. "Using high-quality PE pipes, we will reduce the non-revenue water lost due to leaks and illegal connections that impact on Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company's financial ability to supply informal settlements around the city," said Borealis Chief Executive Mark Garrett. "The expected lifetime of these pipes is three times as long as existing pipes, and higher durability results in fewer pipe breakages, less contamination and leaks, and lower maintenance costs." WSUP Chief Executive Sam Parker added that the key objective is to supply drinking water at an affordable price: "We achieve this by applying a model that strengthens the capacity of service providers to extend their services into low-income areas and informal settlements on a profit-basis, at the same time as offering water at a price less than half a cent per jerry can." Parker highlighted other programs in Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Zambia that have adopted the model, which promotes financial, institutional, environmental, and social sustainability. Further, Rachid Bencherif, Head of OFID's Grants Unit, believes it will be a showcase to be replicated in other regions where clean water supplies are in demand.See also:

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"New global plastics industry program to address water crisis"About Water for the World Since 2007, Borealis and Borouge have been running a program called Water for the World, a partnership program to advance solutions, expertise and know-how to address the global water challenge. The program spans a full range of activities at global and regional levels, in science, industry and for local communities focusing on improving access to water and sanitation through local projects; preserving water resources through sustainable water management practices; and advancing best practices and raising awareness in communities and across the value-chain. For more information, visit www.waterfortheworld.net.About OFID The OPEC Fund for International Development is the development finance institution established by the Member States of OPEC in 1976 as a collective channel of aid to the developing countries. OFID works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international donor community to stimulate economic growth and alleviate poverty in all disadvantaged regions of the world. It does this by providing financing to essential infrastructure projects, strengthening delivery of social services and promoting productivity, competitiveness and trade. For more information, visit www.ofid.org.About WSUP WSUP is a non-profit partnership between the private sector, NGOs and research institutions focused on solving the global problem of inadequate water and sanitation in low-income urban communities. It brings lasting solutions to low-income areas by working in partnership with service providers; including water utilities, local authorities and businesses, and the communities they serve. WSUP strengthens the capacity of service providers to deliver sustainable city-wide water and sanitation services, promote good hygiene and raise the environmental standards of low income communities. For more information, visit www.wsup.com.About Borealis and Borouge Borealis is a provider of innovative solutions in the fields of polyolefins, base chemicals and fertilizers. With headquarters in Vienna, Austria, Borealis currently employs around 6,400 and operates in over 120 countries. The International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) of Abu Dhabi owns 64% of the company, with the remaining 36% owned by OMV, the leading energy group in the European growth belt. Borealis provides services and products to customers around the world in collaboration with Borouge, a joint venture with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). For more information, visit www.borouge.com. ###