Based on a World Health Organization analysis, achieving the Water and Sanitation target would bring direct and indirect economic benefits to the health, industrial and agricultural sectors as well as individuals and households.

It is probably in order to say that NWSC’s Gulu Area seems to have gotten wind of said analysis as the area has over the years worked its way to grow its business while bettering the livelihood of the people of Gulu City.

A few years back, Gulu city was merely a drought wracked town, with Oyitino Dam, the only raw water source drying up and killing all its habitants let alone the hope of the Acoli man in Gulu. But as things got better, the Gulu team got wiser.

In the Water Production realm; the team optimized production at the various plants during night time when there is stable electricity so that reservoir levels are maintained, liaised with the static plant team to ensure PPM activities for electro-mechanical equipment are carried out as scheduled and in case of emergency, the static plant team is notified immediately, Hoarding fuel for the standby generators at all production plants and they are currently drilling two additional production wells in Gulu and Anaka to increase daily production. Hydrogeological survey has been done, now awaiting securing a contractor network upgrades and intensification have been done in some areas prone to no water cases and low pressures like Laliya, Lawiyadul, Iriaga and Custom Corner. Plans are underway to carry out more upgrades in areas of Wiaworanga & Layibi Techo. They are also zoning the distribution network with the aim of eliminating dry zones. This has enabled the team successfully managed to handle persistent low pressure issues in some parts of PECE Division.

The cancer that is Non-Revenue Water is also being addressed as the team has strengthened an illegal squad team to handle illegal water users with the security officer and some technical team members embarking on regular area patrols. Also, Consumer meter servicing as well as replacements are often done, production meter calibration done as per schedule, availability of all required repair materials to handle leakages is ensured. Monitoring of Fire hydrants and DMAs as well as continuous zoning of the areas and installing more district meters is being done as well.

Customer base expansion is a pillar of growth in this business as the Gulu team clearly gets it and has seen to the sensitization of the various communities as SCAP100 programme looms over the city and various villages affiliated to it. All the pipes laid under SCAP100 have been charged and the area is currently executing 1.3Km sewer mains extension to areas of PECE Prison village and Lukung with a target of attactracting over 100 customers.

Gulu Area continues to land like a cat. On its feet that is. We can only expect a phoenix resurrection from this Area no matter what they go through. Applause!