Water changes everything. In Palma, we built the proof.

Today is World Water Day. For ALPS Resilience, it is also a moment to reflect on what three years of work in Palma District, Cabo Delgado, has produced — and what it means for the 30,000+ people who now have reliable access to clean water.

When we began in 2022, Palma's water infrastructure had been devastated by years of conflict and displacement. Residents walked 1–2 kilometres a day to find water, waiting up to 30 minutes when they got there. Boreholes had failed. Water towers stood damaged or abandoned. The systems that once served the town simply no longer functioned.

Over four phases, our teams — with the generous support of Rovuma LNG, ExxonMobil, and partners — changed that.

What four phases of work looks like on the ground

Phase 1 — Rehabilitating the foundation (2023)

We began where the need was most acute: the main Palma water tower and its three public fountains. New pumps, pipes, electrical systems, and 12 spout taps were installed and tested. A formal handover ceremony took place on 25 August 2023 — water running again for the first time in years.

Phase 2 — Reaching every neighbourhood (2023–2024)

Eight workstreams running simultaneously: 50 boreholes drilled or repaired, solar wells installed, Tower 3 renovated with three new faucet units, the health centre water system restored, 150 Cash-for-Work volunteers employed, and 2,000+ community members engaged through focus groups and attitudinal surveys. Total: 20,500 direct beneficiaries across 71 sites.

Phase 3A — Solar towers and the old system (2024)

Four new solar-powered water towers constructed in Incularino, Bagala, and Muha — each feeding four water fountains. The old colonial water system was fully rehabilitated with new submersible pumps, a guard room, and engine room. 14 water committees were established and trained, with 50% female membership. A post-impact assessment confirmed a 30% reduction in average distance walked to access water.

Phase 4 — The biggest scale-up yet (2025–2026)

14 solar-powered water towers, 42 water fountains, conversion of 12 manual handpumps to solar systems, maintenance of 28 water points, and five gender-segregated toilet blocks built at five primary schools. By mid-term, 12 towers were operational, providing clean water to over 6,000 additional residents. Phase 4 is currently at handover stage.

Beyond the infrastructure: what water actually changes

Water is never just water. In Palma, the changes we have documented go well beyond the technical.

Time reclaimed. Hours previously spent walking and queuing are now spent on education, work, and family responsibilities.

Health improvements. Communities and local government report noticeable reductions in waterborne illness and better hygiene practices across households.

Girls back in school. Teachers report improved attendance among girls following the construction of gender-segregated sanitation facilities at five primary schools.

Less conflict. Reliable water access has reduced the tension and minor disputes that were common during water shortages.

Local employment. Every phase has created jobs for local people — from Cash-for-Work volunteers to trained water committee members who now manage their own systems.

Community ownership. 34 water committees are now trained and equipped to maintain infrastructure independently, reducing reliance on external support.

"Most households which previously had to walk 600–1,000 metres now access water within 100–250 metres. This recovered time is being reallocated to schooling, childcare, and livelihood pursuits."

Looking ahead

As Phase 4 moves to handover, ALPS Resilience is looking at what comes next: advanced technical training, strengthened water-quality monitoring, expanded WASH programming in schools, and district-level maintenance structures that can keep these systems running for decades.

We do not build infrastructure and leave. We stay, train, and transfer ownership — to the communities, the committees, and the local government — so that what we built continues to work long after our teams have moved on.

On this World Water Day, ALPS Resilience thanks Rovuma LNG, ExxonMobil, eni, CNPC, ENH, Galp, and KOGAS for making this work possible — and the communities of Palma District for building it with us.

Water changes everything. In Palma, the proof is running. 💧