MWSP-1 Blantyre Water supply improvements
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLANS
The Malawi Water and Sanitation Project-1 (MWSP-1), financed by The World Bank Group, aims to improve access to safe water supply and sanitation services, enhance BWB’s operational and financial efficiency, and strengthen institutional capacity for sustainable water management in Blantyre City and surrounding areas. This assignment falls under Component 1 – Water supply improvements (US$75 million of which US$74.11 million IDA equivalent and US$0.89 million counterpart financing).
The component will be implemented by the BWB and will finance investments
in water production (motivated by the increase in flood frequency and breakdowns at the existing water treatment plant), network stabilization, leak reduction, renewable energy sources, and water network expansion to unserved areas, thereby lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and boosting water access.
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Matex Involved in Component 1 – Water supply improvements
Through MWSP-1, we are investing in sustainable, resilient infrastructure to ensure clean, reliable, and equitable water access for all communities in Blantyre City.
Between 1 and 7 October 2025, a multidisciplinary Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) team conducted field verification across all major water transmission and distribution alignments (T1–T13) under MWSP-1. The exercise validated technical findings, confirmed route feasibility, and documented environmental and social sensitivities, including settlements, drainage patterns, road conditions, and terrain constraints. The team also engaged with residents, businesses, and institutions likely to be affected by the works.
Malawi Water and Sanitation Project-1 (MWSP-1)
The Government of Malawi is implementing the Malawi Water and Sanitation Project that is expected to increase the number of households accessing potable water in and around Blantyre by 30% and reducing water loses, one of the major causes of water scarcity in the city by the year 2029.
The K250billion ($148.5m) will increase access to improved water and safely managed sanitation services in the City of Blantyre through rehabilitation and upgrading of water treatment plants, distribution and connection networks, sewerage and waste treatment facilities.
As part of another landmark infrastructure project in Malawi, Matex International and GMT Consults LTD (GMT) (Uganda) have been engaged by the Blantyre Water Board (BWB) to conduct an Environmental and Social Assessment for the Rehabilitation, Upgrading, and District Metered Area (DMA) Management of the Water Supply Distribution Network in Kabula and Soche Zones.
Project Key interventions
- Rehabilitation and upgrade of Mudi Intake and water treatment plant with demonstrated GHG reduction and implementation of priority dam safety measures for Mudi Dam to build redundancy and strengthen the resilience of the water supply system with an alternative source of water during water interruptions caused by frequent floods and siltation along the Shire Rivers
- Priority water supply transmission network upgrade (transmission pipeline and associated reservoirs, and solarpowered boosters) to increase the storage capacity, improve energy efficiency, enhance infrastructural climate resilience with reduced vulnerability to floods, and increase drought resilience;
- Distribution network upgrade (pipe replacement and creation of permanent leakage control and pressure management systems) to reduce water losses and to recover water leaks in water scarce-areas, and improve energy efficiency;
- Distribution network expansion in selected zones, including the construction of water kiosks in water stressed areas; and
- TA for engineering designs, supervision, and environment and social implementation for BWB water infrastructure.
Project Key interventions
- Rehabilitation and upgrade of Mudi Intake and water treatment plant
- Priority water supply transmission network upgrade (transmission pipeline and associated reservoirs, and solarpowered boosters)
- Distribution network upgrade (pipe replacement and creation of permanent leakage control and pressure management systems)
- Distribution network expansion in selected zones, including the construction of water kiosks
📩 : Partner with Matex International Ltd
As part of the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for the for the Rehabilitation, Upgrading, and District Metered Area (DMA) Management of the Water Supply Distribution Network in Kabula and Soche Zones., our team from Matex International, in collaboration with GMT Consults LTD (GMT) (Uganda), conducted stakeholder consultations across Blantyre City.
At Matex International, we believe that strong projects begin with strong dialogue.💧 If you share our vision for a greener, more sustainable world, let’s work together to make it a reality.
For additional partnership inquiries, please reach out to us at info@matexmw.com.