Zambia is urbanising at one of the fastest rates in sub-Saharan Africa. But behind the skyline of this rapid growth lies a pressing and often overlooked reality. For millions living in low-income urban settlements, safe drinking water, dignified sanitation, and reliable hygiene facilities remain out of reach.
In cities such as Lusaka and Livingstone, nearly 70 percent of urban residents live in informal settlements. These densely populated neighbourhoods often operate beyond the reach of formal infrastructure. Families here rely on shallow wells that are frequently contaminated by nearby pit latrines, or they spend a significant portion of their income buying water from informal vendors. As climate change drives more frequent and intense droughts, the pressure on these fragile systems continues to grow.
Despite these challenges, a quiet transformation is taking place. And at its heart is a network of partnerships built on trust, community engagement, and long-term commitment.
Since 2008, WSUP has worked alongside government ministries, utilities, and communities to close the urban WASH gap. What began as a series of small-scale pilots has evolved into a nationally recognised model for inclusive, sustainable citywide services.
“Our approach has always been to strengthen local systems, not replace them,” says Eng. Reuben Sipuma, WSUP Zambia Country Manager. “That is how you create real, lasting change — by building capacity and working alongside those already mandated to deliver services.”
Beyond infrastructure, strengthening the entire system
WSUP’s impact in Zambia goes far beyond the construction of pipes and toilets. The organisation has played a central role in supporting the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation in long-term sector planning. From national data system improvements to a comprehensive functionality assessment of water points across the country, WSUP has helped identify structural gaps that previously hindered service delivery.
These strategic foundations have enabled practical, measurable interventions that have directly improved the lives of more than 2.1 million people.
- Over 935,000 people have gained access to an improved water supply
- More than 360,000 now benefit from better sanitation services
- Nearly 871,000 have been reached through hygiene promotion initiatives
In Lusaka’s Chazanga settlement, home to approximately 140,000 residents, WSUP partnered with Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company (LWSC) and the local Water Trust to transform water service delivery. Sixteen and a half kilometres of pipes were repaired. Water losses were reduced. Household connections were installed. For those without in-home taps, pre-paid water dispensers were introduced. Today, over 62,000 people in Chazanga have access to clean, affordable water close to home.
Turning policy into practice
WSUP’s work in sanitation has also been groundbreaking. In a context where informal, unsafe faecal sludge management had long been the norm, WSUP helped shape a shift toward regulation and professionalisation.
In Lusaka, private operators trained and supported by WSUP now offer reliable, safe services to households across the city. Sanitation workers benefit from better working conditions, while residents gain access to more dignified, hygienic facilities.
In Livingstone, efforts have focused on non-revenue water — the water lost through leaks, theft, or poor metering that severely impacts utility performance. Working with Southern Water and Sanitation Company in Ngwenya and Messenger, WSUP is helping utilities modernise their operations. Through pipe rehabilitation, smart metering, pressure management, and billing system upgrades, service hours are increasing, and communities once left behind are now being prioritised.
From water points to broader progress
These achievements go far beyond improvements in WASH. WSUP’s work is helping Zambia make progress toward broader development goals, including better health outcomes, gender equality, urban resilience, and institutional accountability.
The programme’s success rests on several pillars. Strong community engagement ensures interventions are accepted and sustained. Support for financial viability helps utilities serve low-income areas without compromising performance. And a focus on climate-aware infrastructure ensures that services are built to last in a changing environment.
“Everything we do is geared toward ensuring that no one is left behind,” says Eng. Sipuma. “WASH is not just about infrastructure. It is about dignity, opportunity, and health. It is about making sure a grandmother in Chazanga, a schoolgirl in Nakatani, or a sanitation worker in Lusaka can access the services they need to thrive.”
Looking ahead
As Zambia’s urban population continues to grow, the need for equitable and sustainable water and sanitation systems becomes ever more urgent. But thanks to years of consistent effort, the country is better prepared than ever to meet this challenge. The foundations laid by WSUP and its partners tell a compelling story. Not just of infrastructure built, but of institutions strengthened. Not just of services delivered, but of systems transformed.
In a sector where progress can often feel slow, WSUP Zambia offers a clear example of what is possible when commitment, collaboration, and community come together.
This is more than a development project. It is a journey toward a future where clean water and safe sanitation are not privileges for the few, but rights for all.