In brief
- On 9 May 2022, Wardheer News reported that Aptech Africa commissioned a solar-powered reverse osmosis water treatment plant in Caynabo, Somaliland, funded by UNDP.
- The system reportedly has a nominal flow of 6m3/s and a flexotank capacity of 45m3/s, figures whose units are inconsistent with practical scale.
- No investment amount, project value, or post-2022 status has been disclosed by Aptech Africa or confirmed by independent sources.
On 9 May 2022, Wardheer News reported that Aptech Africa commissioned a solar-powered reverse osmosis water treatment plant in Caynabo, Somaliland. The report states that the project was funded by UNDP and that the reverse osmosis system was supplied by Genius Water.
The system has a nominal flow of 6m3/s and a flexotank capacity of 45m3/s, according to the report. Four distribution taps are operational, and the photovoltaic power supply is 41.08kWp. The site was selected for its nearness to the well and its central location in Caynabo, with local authorities helping to select the site.
Before installation, the Ministry of Water Project Coordinator, Mr. Abdullahi Mohammed, reported poor hygiene due to lack of clean drinking water, according to the Wardheer News account. The facility serves the total population of Caynabo, about 7,000 people, plus around 3,000 people from neighbouring villages. People previously suffered kidney stones from not drinking enough water, with most households unable to access even 5 litres per day. Bottled water cost $0.45 per litre, and residents drove to Burco town, about 130km away, to obtain water.
The report does not establish what has happened since 2022-05-09. No project value, contract value, or total project cost is disclosed. No commissioning date is provided, and no details on the UNDP funding amount or mechanism are given. The units '6m3/s' and '45m3/s' appear inconsistent with practical scale, and the report does not clarify them.
The article's source is Africa Business Communities, as attributed by Wardheer News.
Frequently asked questions
Which towns will benefit from the solar water plant?
Caynabo, plus neighbouring villages with around 3,000 people, according to Wardheer News.
What is the capacity of the solar systems?
The photovoltaic power supply is 41.08kWp. The reverse osmosis system has a nominal flow of 6m3/s and the flexotank capacity is 45m3/s, as reported, though these units are unverified and inconsistent.
Is this a grant, loan, or private investment?
Wardheer News reports the project was funded by UNDP, but no funding mechanism or amount is disclosed.
Sources
Photo: European Space Agency, CC BY-SA 3.0 igo, via Wikimedia Commons
