The Quilonga Water Supply Project, a major initiative by the Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina), is underway in eastern Luanda, Angola’s capital, aiming to address the city’s longstanding water shortages. Due to drought, aging infrastructure, and inadequate treatment capacities, Luanda has faced significant challenges in providing reliable water access to its residents.
Project manager Zhang Qiang outlined that the Quilonga project features a raw water pumping station capable of handling 570,000 cubic meters daily, a 12.5-kilometer raw water pipeline, a water treatment plant with a capacity of 500,000 cubic meters per day, and five distribution centers.
At the construction site, workers are diligently engaged in their tasks, overseen by safety management technician Figueira Kalunga. Having been part of various PowerChina projects since 2017, Kalunga expressed pride in contributing to a development that not only creates jobs for many Angolans but also promises to improve the lives of countless residents once completed.
The secretary of state for water at Angola’s Ministry of Energy and Water, Antonio Fernandes Rodrigues Belsa da Costa, highlighted that Luanda currently faces a water supply gap of up to 50 percent, with some neighborhoods receiving water only every two to three days.
Zhang emphasized that construction is progressing as scheduled and that the project will significantly alleviate the chronic water shortages in eastern Luanda upon completion.
Chief engineer Zhang Peng noted the complexities faced during construction, particularly due to the swampy terrain and the need for deep foundations at the pumping station located along the Kwanza River. Innovative engineering solutions have been implemented to ensure a solid foundation for the main structure.
In addition to addressing construction challenges, the project team has worked to reconcile regulatory and technical differences between China and Angola. They have also fostered cultural exchange through activities, language training, and by hiring local engineers who have studied in China, enhancing cooperation and understanding among the workforce.
Helmano Adriano, the administrator of the municipality of Bom Jesus, commended PowerChina’s commitment to community welfare, citing initiatives like the installation of drinking water systems and power grids that directly benefit thousands of residents.
Belsa da Costa expressed confidence that the Quilonga Water Supply Project, expected to be completed by 2026, will significantly enhance water supply in Luanda and help close the existing water gap.
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