“For years, we relied on a failing system” says Al-Dokali Al-Hadi, a community representative and Mukhtar Mahalla—a district leader within the municipality of Sinawin. His struggle to access clean water was shared by the entire community.
He recalls their daily uncertainty—waking up each morning without knowing whether they would have access to clean water that day. The entire municipality depended on a single, deteriorating water network dating back to 1970, which could no longer sustain the needs of a growing population.
“Our water network was old, and as the area expanded, we had no sustainable way to provide water to new homes and businesses. People depended on unreliable sources, but that was never a long-term solution” he adds.
Sinawin—comprising four regions: Ain Ali, Al-Qasr Al-Loutani, Al-Shaoua, and Sinawan—had grown, but its infrastructure had not kept pace. Despite multiple official decisions for infrastructure projects, none were ever implemented. The entire municipality relied on a single well, while the Man-Made River pipeline passed nearby—out of reach. The water available came directly from wells but contained high levels of salinity. Additionally, the lifespan of such resources was rapidly coming to an end, remarking the importance of a critical and urgent intervention.
With no alternatives in place, residents faced daily water shortages, and the community’s primary concern was establishing a proper water network. As Mukhtar Mahalla, Al-Dokali regularly heard his neighbors’ concerns—farmers unable to irrigate their crops, families rationing what little water they had, and businesses struggling to operate. Water shortages affected every aspect of the community’s well-being and livelihood.
Then came the turning point. Thanks to support from the European Union-funded Baladiyati programme, under the component led by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, Sinawin municipality received a new water purification system. By installing water treatment units, upgrading key pumps, and expanding access to more households, the intervention provided Sinawin with a lifeline—a reliable and sustainable supply of safe drinking water that residents could depend on.
Al-Dokali recalls, “I remember the first time I saw clean water running steadily through the new system. It wasn’t just a technical upgrade—it was a moment of relief, of hope.” With desalination technology in place, the risk of water shortages dropped. Families could drink, cook, and wash without fearing contamination.
He continues then with positive remarks: “If I’m asked for feedback, I always share that we are grateful for this intervention, as it has provided an immediate solution to a problem that existed for decades. It represented the first crucial step toward a better, more efficient system that, in the long term, will ensure sustainable water access for the entire municipality. Inspired by this progress, we are determined to keep moving forward.”
The intervention demonstrated that through continued collaboration between local authorities, international partners, and the community, Sinawin is progressing toward a more stable future. Residents are no longer dependent on an outdated system and can now look forward to a life where water is a dependable resource, no longer a daily struggle.
This story was written by AICS based on content collected on ground by CEFA
Photo credit: CEFA
