Borealis and Borouge, through Water for the World, have provided funding to a project in Beira, Mozambique, to provide a sustainable water supply for more than 13,500 people. Mozambique is one of the world’s poorest countries, with only one quarter of its urban residents having access to safe piped drinking water and more than half are lacking the most basic sanitation facilities.
In 2019, Cyclone Idai damaged Beira’s fragile water supply network, and the city struggled to provide water and sanitation services to its residents ever since. Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP), a long-standing partner of Water for the World, has been working with local stakeholders to restore a sustainable water supply across Beira.
The neighborhoods of Maraza and Chota were identified as those most in need. Before the project, around 70% of households located there did not have a water network connection, affecting more than 32,000 people. Furthermore, water was only available for a maximum of two hours a day, and the flow was unreliable, particularly for households located farther from the main pipeline.
The project involved repairing 8 kilometers of existing network piping and constructing a further 11.5 kilometers to reach unserved households across Maraza. The project also improved the pumping station that supplies Maraza and Chota and rehabilitated the existing water tower.
These efforts were accompanied by a water promotion campaign encouraging households to connect to the new network by explaining how the network had been repaired, the importance of having their own connection to it, the improvements to water supply and availability, and the benefits for women.
At the same time, the WASH campaign promoted good hygiene practices such as handwashing to households in both neighborhoods, reaching nearly 22,000 people in Maraza and Chota. Due to its success, the Beira authorities asked WSUP to extend the campaign into three further neighborhoods, which are home to more than 65,000 people.
An improved water supply for the community
More than 13,500 people in Maraza can now connect to the new water network. Water is accessible in Maraza for at least seven hours a day and the volume has increased, with more pressure in the system. Residents in Chota also benefit from improved water pressure and availability, following the upgrades and repairs to the distribution center.
The improvements mean less queuing for water, freeing up time for other activities, such as employment or education. This is particularly beneficial for women and girls, as the task of fetching water falls mainly onto them.
The project has significantly improved the network, making it more resistant to future natural catastrophes such as cyclones. The network has been constructed with pipes provided by Borealis’ customer Politejo, using Borealis’ plastic raw material (BorSafe PE100). This makes the welded pipes very durable, reducing leaks, maintenance, and risks of contamination through perforations in the pipes. High density polyethylene (HDPE) PE100 also offers greater flexibility for network layout, which can reduce costs and increase installation speed.
“We are delighted to support another successful project in Mozambique, bringing a regular supply of life-changing safe water to thousands of people,” says Robin Bresser, Marketing Manager at Borealis and one of the directors of WSUP. “Borealis BorSafe polymer grades are specifically designed for pipes that are quickly installed and very durable, crack resistant and resilient against natural disasters. We look forward to assisting more communities in the future.”
“We welcome the support of Borealis in this project,” says Ed Mitchell, CEO at WSUP. “Our work in Beira focuses on creating more resilient services, to ensure that vulnerable residents have sustainable access to clean water and effective sanitation, as climate change makes extreme weather more common.”
Watch the Water for the World Beira project video here.
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About Borealis
Borealis is one of the world’s leading providers of advanced and sustainable polyolefin solutions. In Europe, Borealis is also an innovative leader in polyolefins recycling and a major producer of base chemicals. We leverage our polymer expertise and decades of experience to offer value-adding, innovative and circular material solutions for key industries such as consumer products, energy, healthcare, infrastructure and mobility.
With operations in over 120 countries and head offices in Vienna, Austria, Borealis employs around 6,000 people. In 2022, we generated a net profit of EUR 2.1 billion. OMV, the Austria-based international oil and gas company, owns 75% of our shares. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), owns the remaining 25%.
In re-inventing essentials for sustainable living, we build on our commitment to safety, our people, innovation and technology, and performance excellence. We are accelerating the transformation to a circular economy of polyolefins and expanding our geographical footprint to better serve our customers around the globe. Our operations are augmented by two important joint ventures: Borouge (with ADNOC, headquartered in the UAE); and Baystar™ (with TotalEnergies, based in the US).
www.borealisgroup.com | www.borealiseverminds.com
About Borealis Infrastructure
As a trusted and experienced partner with more than 50 years of experience (since 1967), Borealis offers market leading polyethylene and polypropylene materials for pipe systems in water and gas distribution, waste water and sewage disposal, plumbing, heating, and industrial, along with multi-layer steel pipe coating solutions for onshore and offshore oil and gas pipelines. With the proprietary Borealis Borstar® technology as the main foundation, complimented by selected other processes, Borealis can offer a wide variety of tailored pipe solutions.
In addition, Borcycle™ M and the ISCC Plus certified Borcycle™ C compounds based on mechanically and chemically recycled feedstock as well as the ISCC Plus certified Bornewables™ compounds using renewable-based feedstock meet a growing demand for high-sustainability building and infrastructure pipe polymers. At the same time, they align with Borealis’s EverMinds™ platform to promote and accelerate the transformation of the plastics industry towards circularity.
By offering more durable and reliable as well as circular pipe solutions, Borealis’ step-change innovations continue to boost the sustainability of pipe networks by making them safer, leak free, longer lasting and more efficient with installation costs reduced by up to 60% compared to the traditional pipe material.
Based on Borealis’ European assets, its Middle Eastern joint venture Borouge as well as the American joint venture Baystar®, Borealis confirms its position as a partner of choice for global pipe customers, helping to meet the growing needs and requirements of the building and infrastructure industry today and in the future.
Borstar is a registered trademark of Borealis AG.
Borcycle, Bornewables and EverMinds are trademarks of Borealis AG.
About Borouge
Borouge, listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX symbol “BOROUGE” / ISIN “AEE01072B225”), is a leading petrochemical company that provides innovative and differentiated polyolefin solutions for the energy, infrastructure, mobility, advanced packaging, healthcare and agriculture industries. ADNOC owns a majority 54% stake and Borealis holds a 36% stake in Borouge.
To find out more, visit: borouge.com
About Water for the World
Water for the World is a program launched by Borealis and Borouge in 2007 that aims to advance solutions, expertise and know-how to respond to these global challenges. The program which celebrates its fifteenth birthday this year, spans a full range of projects in developing and emerging countries. More information about the program, as well as a full list of projects, can be found at www.waterfortheworld.net
About WSUP
Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP) is an international, not-for-profit company delivering clean water, safe sanitation, and good hygiene to low-income communities in fast-growing cities across Africa and Asia. It is expert in providing practical, lasting solutions which are affordable for the poor, financially viable for suppliers, and sustainable for the environment.
By working with local utilities, governments, and community-based organisations (CBOs), WSUP ensures that low-income neighbourhoods, sometimes referred to as slums or shanty towns, are able to access clean, affordable water and decent toilet facilities. Nearly 40 million people have benefited from WSUP’s work so far, with improved toilets and water supplies helping them to lead healthier, safer, and more dignified lives, and to spend less on essential services. In addition to work with communities and households, WSUP also improves toilet and wash blocks in schools, encouraging children – particularly girls – to continue with their education.
WSUP also works with governments and residents to build resilience into both infrastructure and services. This ensures that precious water supplies to low-income communities, often vulnerable to droughts, floods, storms, and other effects of climate change, are preserved, and that facilities can withstand severe climate-associated events.
Founded in 2005 by a group of NGOs, academics, and businesses, including Borealis, WSUP brings the expertise of both public and private sector thinking to solve the complex problems of urban water and sanitation. The organisation is currently operating long-term programmes in Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Zambia, and provides consultancy advice to governments, funders, and city authorities in several other countries.
https://www.wsup.com/
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