Dakar, Senegal
Dakar, the vibrant capital of Senegal, grapples with water challenges driven by rapid urbanization and climatic vulnerabilities. Situated along the Atlantic coast, the city faces rising sea levels and increased salinity, impacting both surface and groundwater sources. Dakar's population is approximately 3.5 million in the greater metropolitan area and 1.14 million in the urban core, and continues to grow steadily at around 3% annually, placing strain on water resources (World Population Review, 2023). The city implements measures such as improved water infrastructure, groundwater monitoring, and nature-based solutions to address water stress, however, greater attention is needed on the provision of sanitation services.
Key Information: Dakar is the capital and primate city in Senegal. Dakar is a dynamic city with a population of approximately 3.5 million in the metropolitan area and 1.14 million in the urban core (World Population Review, 2023). The city is experiencing considerable urbanization and in-migration trends, with population growth exceeding 3% annually (World Population Review, 2023). Nationally, Senegal is water stressed and current water withdrawals are projected to increase by 30-60% in light of increased demand by residents and to support economic activities (World Bank, 2022). The Dakar area is especially at risk, given that 50% of the country’s GDP and population is concentrated in the capital (World Bank, 2022). Given that the Senegalese water demand already exceeds available resources, there is an urgent need to diversify the city’s water sources and improve cross-sectoral collaboration (World Bank, 2022). Currently, Dakar relies on the Lac de Guiers, which supplies about half the water for the city and is the only freshwater reserve in Senegal (Bloomberg, 2023). The other half is drawn from fossil aquifers that run the risk of being overexploited and contaminated by saltwater intrusion. As part of efforts to diversify the water matrix, desalination is increasingly being used as part of the water matrix (Africanews, 2022).
Water Assessment:
Economics/Finance:
Dakar is an economic hub, hosting sectors like trade, finance, and services, and concentrates 80% of the economic activities of the country (URH, 2017). The tertiary sector has developed at the same time as urbanization, particularly for banks, telecommunications, and tourism (URH, 2017). Water tariffs in Dakar use an increasing block approach, which includes a social (i.e., subsidized) tariff for low-consumption users (< 20m 3 per 60 days), a regular tariff for between 20 to 40m 3 , and a dissuasive rate for any consumption over 40m 3 (SDE, 2021). Based on the financial policy of the S éné galaise Des Eaux (Sen’Eau), there will be no excessive increases in water tariffs and, instead, tariff increases (SDE, 2021). However, civil society groups have noted that households that rely on standpipes (i.e., they are not serviced by municipal pipes) often pay the highest tariffs as standpipe guardians tend to be small entrepreneurs who buy water from the utility and sell it to customers at a higher rate (SDE, 2021). Non-revenue water in Senegal is approximately 20% and there is government support to improve infrastructure and service delivery in informal settlements (USAID, 2012). Financial support for Senegal’s water sector is also provided by international organizations, including the World Bank, African Development Bank, and the European Investment Bank, in addition to non-governmental organizations.
Politics/Governance: Water sector administration in Senegal is unique. There are three main utilities falling under the Ministry of Water and Sanitation: the Société Nationale des Eaux du Sénégal (SONES - the national company); Sen’Eau (the private partner in the public-private partnership); and the Office National de l’Assainissement (ONAS - the state sanitation company) (Runge, 2023). While some say Sen’Eau water rates are too high, the public-private partnership has been successful at increasing water sales (increased to over 130 million m 3 per annum, reaching approximately 5 million customers) (Runge, 2023). In 2020, the Suez Group took over from Sen’Eau and jointly manages potable water operations and distribution in urban and peri-urban areas. As of 2023, Sen’Eau is a company that is jointly managed by the Senegalese government (55% stake) in partnership with Suez (45% stake) and now acts as technical partner and distributor (Runge, 2023). Senegal’s water sector has had strong donor and NGO support, which have focused on implementing numerous programs, projects, and initiatives, including the Potable Water and Sanitation Program (PEPAM).
Ecology/Natural Science: Dakar’s environment is characterized by significant air and water pollution, further compounded by the increasing trend of urbanization and industrialization (URH, 2017). Lac de Guiers, which provides about 40% of the area’s water supply, is particularly threatened by pollution and competing demand for resources, such as water for irrigation (World Bank, 2022; Runge, 2023). The lake is located some 250 km north of the city and is pumped in (Runge, 2023). Dakar is also supplied by coastal aquifers, which are being overused and depleted, as well as at risk of salinization (World Bank, 2022; Runge, 2023). Moreover the impacts of climate change on Dakar, and on Senegal as a whole, are considerable. Droughts, floods, sea-level rise, and coastal erosion all pose the greatest threats to Dakar’s and Senegal’s development goals (World Bank, 2011).
Technical Science/Infrastructure: In light of the high population growth rate and increasing trend of urbanization, WASH infrastructure and services cannot keep pace (IWA, 2015). However, through public outreach, strategic plans, and innovative infrastructure, Dakar is leading the way in water management in West Africa (IWA, 2015). The city aims to improve its infrastructure to provide safe drinking water and implement sanitation for all, including the treatment of fecal sludge and wastewater. Currently, Sen’Eau operates 6 surface water treatment plants and 9 groundwater treatment plants, serving close to 850,000 customers (SDE, 2021). SONES is also building a desalination plant on the coastline, which is set to open in 2024 (Africanews, 2022). There have also been some efforts to adopt nature-based solutions to support overcoming the threat posed by climate change, including green roofs and rainwater harvesting, to mitigate immediate water stress (Sall, 2023).
Social Science: Most notably, Dakar’s population growth rate of more than 3% per year will continue to place stress on the city’s water supplies. There is interest in addressing water challenges within the broader context of social development, which will likely require inclusive water management strategies. While there have been efforts to improve water supply issues, more attention is needed on the provision of sanitation services.
