FEASIBILITY STUDY IN MADAGASCAR

Past two weeks, we have been visiting the arid south-western region of Madagascar to investigate the current water supply at different areas near Tulear. Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world with a population growing faster than its economy. Over 11 million people do not have access to safe water. There is enormous disparity between urban and rural communities in Madagascar. 66% of people in urban areas have access to safe water, yet fewer than 15% of people in rural areas do.Unfortunately, the region does not provide fertile ground for desalination driven by renewable energy. The risks of sabotage and theft are significant and not easily avoidable. It seems unlikely that there are parties (government or private) able to commit to buy water for a certain period of time. The people are not used to pay for water and do not have much to spare through limited means of income. Sanitation & electricity are lacking in these rural areas and the economy and tourism are struggling. It has been an extremely valuable experience to see the challenges in this special country and we hope to be back in the future, when the time to invest in a long-term water solution is more suitable.