ZOWEINTA CITY, Bong County – After years of water scarcity and reliance on unreliable hand pumps, residents of Zoweinta City in Bong County are now witnessing a major infrastructure breakthrough with the near-completion, and the already-in-use US$44K pipe-borne water project initiated by Representative Prince K. Koinah of Bong County District #1.
On November 29, 2024, Representative Koinah, along with Speaker of the 55th National Legislature Richard Nangbe Koon and several other lawmakers, officially broke ground for the project during a high-profile visit to Zoweinta. The initiative, now 99.9% complete, is poised to transform water accessibility for the area.
For over a decade, Zoweinta—a commercial hub that attracts traders from neighboring communities, including parts of Nimba County—has grappled with a lack of clean, safe drinking water. The community’s few functional hand pumps were often unreliable, especially during the dry season, leading to serious health concerns.
“Without access to clean water, residents have suffered from waterborne diseases,” said James Yekerson Forkpah, Special Assistant to Representative Koinah, during an exclusive interview our reporter. “The lack of safe drinking water has long impacted the well-being of the people of Zoweinta.”
The newly constructed water system, according to Forkpah, is already serving more than 68 homes, with individual connections allowing residents to access clean water directly from their faucets at any time of day and night. “In the past, people had to walk to the public pumps. But today, they can sit on their porches and open the tap. Whether it’s 10 P.M or 2 A.M, the water is there,” Forkpah noted.
In addition to household connections, Forkpah noted that the project has established six public water stations, each equipped with six faucets, allowing multiple users to fetch water simultaneously. Government-run facilities, including the Zoweinta Clinic and the local maternal health center, have also been connected—free of charge.
While home connections require residents to provide basic plumbing materials, technicians are on hand to advise and complete installations. For those unable to afford private connections, the public stations remain a reliable alternative.
The water system, which includes two 1,000-gallon poly tanks, is capable of supplying over 800 gallons at a time. The tanks are replenished automatically, ensuring a consistent and sufficient water supply. According to Forkpah, even showers have been installed in some areas—an unexpected yet welcome development for residents.
Moreover, one of the most striking features of the project is its solar-powered infrastructure, designed for sustainability. The system, according to Forkpah, is powered by 27 high-quality solar panels and multiple heavy-duty batteries, ensuring that electricity shortages will not interrupt water supply.
“This is not a political stunt,” Forkpah emphasized. “Representative Koinah has a track record—he previously constructed a similar, though smaller, reservoir in David Dean Town. The Zoweinta project is far bigger and more durable, built to last between 15 to 30 years with proper maintenance.”
Although the system is already in active use, its official dedication is scheduled for November 1, 2025. Community members are already expressing gratitude for the project, as it directly addresses a critical and long-standing need. “We could not wait for a formal dedication. The people needed water now, and they are already using it,” Forkpah said.
With electricity needs met via solar power, the biggest remaining concern is long-term maintenance. Forkpah assured that sustainability plans are in place and that the materials used are of tested durability. “This system was not rushed. Every component, from solar panels to water tanks, was carefully selected to serve for decades.”
Adding to the already-mentioned statements, several phone-in-callers who participated on the interview admitted the the availability and accessibility of water supplies in their homes, thanking their lawmaker for bringing releave to them in terms of sanitation and access to clean water supply. They have assured proper manitance of the system, also encouraging other public officials, especially legislators to immulate the good gesture of Rep. Koinah.
As Liberia continues to confront major challenges in water and sanitation, Zoweinta’s project could serve as a model for other rural areas. With the success of this initiative, residents and observers alike are hopeful that promises made by public officials can, indeed, be fulfilled—efficiently and sustainably. “The issue of clean drinking water is no longer a dream in Zoweinta. It’s a reality.”
