COVID-19 Pandemic and Water Supply Services in the Greater Banjul Area, The Gambia

In March 2020, The Gambia registered its first COVID-19 case. Since then, the government and its partners have taken series of public health measures, which includes self-isolation, keeping physical distances, use of face masks, trade and travel restrictions, and advocacy for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in homes and public places. These measures impacted lives and livelihoods in The Gambia, including water supply services. The Greater Banjul Area, where a majority of the population depends on municipal water for domestic use experienced an increased demand for water due to improved sanitation and hygiene measures. GBA occupies 16% of the land area and accounts for more than 50% of the country’s population. This high population density and human activity in GBA promotes the high transmission rates of COVID-19. Thus increasing the demand for water supply services. During the peak of COVID-19 in The Gambia, water quality in the Kanifing Municipality water samples collected from Fajara Water Treatment Plant were analyzed for field parameters using the spectrophotometer DR6000. The results showed that pH was 6.03, Electric o Conductivity 151 siemens per centimeter,Total Dissolved Solids 98mg/l,Temperature 28.7 C, Salinity 0.07%,Residual Chlorine 0.016 mg/l, and Dissolved Oxygen was 24. In Brikama, 60 households were interviewed regarding their perception of the availability and quality of pipe-borne water. Up to 55% of the population were not satisfied with the amount of water supplied, citing odor, color, and hiking water bills with limited supplies during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Many opted to change from the public water supply system to private or have both water source systems in their households. Therefore, to prevent the reoccurrence of water problems in COVID-19, NAWEC and the Gambia Public Utility Regulatory Authority should factor in clean and wholesome water supply in emergencies.