Contract extension for African Water Corridor

TU Delft has engaged Witteveen+Bos for a number of projects connected with the so-called African Water Corridor (AWC). AWC is an international consortium focused on fast-growing regions in sub-Saharan Africa. The contract between Witteveen+Bos and TU Delft was recently extended by two years.

‘That is good news,’ explains project manager Jasper Schakel, ‘as this will enable us to continue developing and scaling up our projects. And to help the whole process, I will soon be joined by my colleague Wesley van Beek, who will take over the coordination of the AWC project.’

In the 33 transport regions (corridors) connecting centres of high growth in Africa, AWC focuses on the rapidly increasing demand for water. Strong population growth, combined with periods of drought, is already putting pressure on the water system. AWC was set up to develop one or more so-called water corridors to ensure the availability of clean (drinking) water. This is to be achieved through innovative, open-source technologies and sustainable implementation.

Two projects

Jasper has been active in Ghana for more than two and a half years now, working on two projects: the off-grid water purification project in the north of Ghana and the Recharging Kumasi project. ‘The first project concerns a water treatment system powered by solar energy and the second focuses on the collection and storing of rainwater. Solar-powered water purification is actually unique for the African continent. The idea behind it is to minimise the dependence on chemicals (for coagulation) in order to reduce costs. Electrocoagulation, powered by solar energy, is the replacement technology. This energy source also enables the system to function without having to connect it to the grid.’