GUMA Valley Water Company

What GUMA Valley Water Company does

Guma Valley Water Company is a 100% state-owned water utility that operates as the sole provider of pipe-borne water to Freetown and the entire Western Area of Sierra Leone under the Guma Valley Water Company Act No. 6 of 2017. The company serves a catchment of approximately 1.5 million residents and operates a layered distribution network of pipe connections, 272 street taps, 566 community tanks, 55 solar-powered boreholes, and a fleet of over 20 bowsers. As of 2022, it had 24,000 active customers, up from 22,000 in 2018. Water supply is sourced principally (over 90%) from the Guma Dam and Treatment Plant at Mile 13, which has a reliable yield of 80 million liters per day, supplemented by secondary seasonal sources including the Kongo Dam, Sugar Loaf, Charlotte Weir, and others. The company does not receive government subvention and is entirely self-funded through regulated water tariffs.

GVWC's revenue model combines usage-based tariffs (Le 2,500 per 1,000 liters as of last approved schedule in 2016), one-time new connection fees, reconnection fees (Le 60,000 domestic / Le 150,000 commercial), bowser delivery charges, and prepaid metering targeted at government institutions and commercial enterprises. A $1.5 million Universal Metering Program with BAYLAN LINKING PVC is rolling out 5,100 meters (prepaid, ultrasonic, mechanical, telemetric) to reduce non-revenue water, which is estimated at over 40%. The company is undergoing significant capital modernization through a donor-funded portfolio exceeding $100 million, anchored by the Freetown WASH and Aquatic Environment Revamping Project (WASHAERP, ~$189.2 million total) with the Islamic Development Bank, African Development Bank, MCC, World Bank, and other partners. Capacity expansion plans under the 2022–2050 Western Area Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan target new dams at Hamilton, Kongo, and Toothik to quadruple supply toward projected 2030 demand of 300 million liters per day.

Name

GUMA Valley Water Company

Legal name

Guma Valley Water Company

Website

https://gumavalley.sl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Guma Valley Water Company is a 100% state-owned monopoly water utility and the sole provider of pipe-borne water to Freetown and the Western Area of Sierra Leone, serving 1.5 million residents and 24,000 active piped customers through the Guma Dam and Treatment Plant.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Water Utility Services

NAICS

Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater) (BPAIAMAE)

Keywords

• Water utility services
• Municipal water supply
• Water distribution
• Water treatment operations
• Water infrastructure management

Headquarters

HQ city

Freetown

HQ country

Sierra Leone

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Water Supply Tariffs: Revenue generated from water supply to residential, commercial, and institutional customers based on consumption. Tariffs are regulated by the Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC). Current tariff is Le 2.50 per litre (Le 2,500 per 1000 litres). The company submitted a tariff review application in January 2021 seeking an upward revision.
2. New Service Connections: Fees for new water service line installations. Customers pay installation fees based on the size of service line or distance.
3. Reconnection Fees: Fees charged for reconnecting existing customers. Domestic reconnection is Le 60,000 and commercial reconnection is Le 150,000.
4. Bowser Deliveries: Revenue from water deliveries by bowser to underserved and unserved communities.
5. Prepaid Metering: Revenue from prepaid water meters installed primarily at government institutions and commercial enterprises, allowing customers to pay in advance for water consumption.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Guma Valley Water Company is the sole state-owned provider of pipe-borne water supply to Freetown and the Western Area of Sierra Leone, sourcing over 90% of its water from the Guma Dam and Water Treatment Plant at Mile 13. It delivers water through a pipe network to residential, commercial, and institutional customers, and through community water points (street taps, community tanks, solar-powered boreholes), water kiosks, and bowser deliveries to underserved communities. The company also operates a Universal Metering Program and is investing in infrastructure rehabilitation and expansion via multiple donor-funded projects.

Product overview

Guma Valley Water Company is a water utility providing water supply services to Greater Freetown and the Western Area of Sierra Leone. The core offering is pipe-borne water supply sourced primarily (90%+) from the Guma Dam at Mile 13, supplemented by seasonal sources. Key products and services include the Universal Metering Program (installing smart/ultrasonic meters), Water Kiosks for underserved communities, Community Water Points (street taps, tanks, boreholes), and infrastructure services including pipe laying and reservoir rehabilitation. The company operates on a 28-day billing cycle with tiered domestic and commercial tariffs, and maintains a daily water rationing schedule across three zones (Central, East, West) to manage supply.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Water Supply Services Core water supply service providing access to safe, affordable, and sustainable water for residents of Greater Freetown and the Western Area through pipe-borne water primarily from the Guma Dam and Water Treatment Plant at Mile 13 (over 90% of supply).
• Universal Metering Program Mass installation of water meters (5,100 units including ultrasonic, smart, mechanical, and telemetric meters) to improve revenue generation, reduce non-revenue water, and enable customers to pay for actual consumption. Includes 1,360 prepaid meters for government and commercial customers.
• Water Kiosks Community water collection points (11 kiosks in Aberdeen and Kingtom areas) managed through public-private partnerships, providing safe water access for underserved communities. Approximately 40,000 people benefit.
• Community Water Points (Street Taps, Community Tanks, Boreholes) ProPoor and Community Services Unit operating approximately 272 street taps, 566 community tanks, 55 solar-powered boreholes, and a fleet of over 20 bowsers to serve underserved and unserved communities in the Western Area.
• Billing Services Customer billing with 28-day billing cycles, domestic tariff (tiered 0-5000 litres and above), commercial tariff, and reconnection fees (Le 60,000 domestic, Le 150,000 commercial).
• Water Schedule/Rationing Service Daily rationing schedule dividing the Western Area into three zones (Central, East, West) with 6-hour supply windows to manage water distribution across the service area.
• New Service Connections New water connection services requiring customer visits to district offices with approved site plans and purchase of service forms. Fees based on service line size and distance.
• Customer Service and Complaints Customer support via call center (+232 79 513400), service delivery monitoring, complaints submission through ticketing system, and water saving tips.
• Bowser Water Delivery Service Water delivery service using a fleet of over 20 bowsers to cart water to underserved and unserved communities not connected to the pipe network.

Quantifiable outcome

• Customer base increased from 22,000 in 2018 to 24,000 in 2022 - 10% increase
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• China Henan International Corporation Group (CHICO)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 19 May 2022Contractor for Angola Town Water Supply System construction. Project includes treatment plant with 2,500 cubic meters capacity and 25-kilometer distribution network for Angola Town, Adonkia, Ogoo Farm, and Lakka communities. Funded by Kuwaiti Development Fund at $10 million.
• National Youth Commission (NaYCom)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2021MOU partner for recruitment and training of plumbers involved in meter installation exercise as part of universal metering program.
• Government Technical Institute (GTI)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2021MOU partner for recruitment and training of plumbers involved in meter installation exercise as part of universal metering program.
• World Vision Sierra LeonecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2021Implemented Sustainable Water Project (WASH Project) under COVID-19 response. Handed over water supply projects for Ola During Hospital, Princess Christian Maternity Hospital, and Macauley Street Government Hospital. Valued at Le 400 million.
• Ghana Water Company LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2021Partner in 3-year Water Operators Partnership Program funded by European Union and UN Habitat. Aims to build capacity and transform unserved communities to be served in a sustainable way, contributing to SDG 6 targets.
• VEI (Consortium of Dutch Water Utilities)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2021Partner in 3-year Water Operators Partnership Program with Ghana Water Company Limited funded by European Union and UN Habitat. Focused on low-income communities and customers under 'leave no one behind' principle.
• Freetown City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 March 2021Partner in WASHAERP project, IUWM coordination, and various water supply projects. Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr collaborated on kiosk commissioning and sanitation initiatives.
• Sierra Leone Government - Ministry of Water ResourcescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 March 2021Parent ministry overseeing Guma Valley Water Company. Responsible for policy, regulation, and coordination of water sector development including WASH Master Plan implementation.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (DAWASA): State-owned water and sewerage authority serving Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Comparable as a Sub-Saharan African urban water utility managing treatment plants, distribution networks, billing, and donor-funded capital projects in a rapidly urbanizing context.
• Ghana Water Company Limited: State-owned urban water utility serving Ghana, currently partnered with Guma Valley on a 3-year Water Operators Partnership Program. Comparable as a national/state water utility operating treatment, distribution, and customer service in a West African urban context.
• National Water and Sewerage Corporation (Uganda): Uganda's state-owned water and sewerage utility, serving urban and growing peri-urban populations. Comparable operating model: government-owned monopoly utility responsible for water treatment, distribution, metering, and donor-funded capital programs in a Sub-Saharan African capital city.
• Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company: State-owned water and sewerage company serving Nairobi, Kenya. Highly comparable as a parastatal urban water utility addressing demand-supply gaps, non-revenue water, and metering programs in a fast-growing East African capital.
• Sénégalaise des Eaux (SDE): Senegal's principal urban water utility (a subsidiary of SUEZ). Comparable as a regulated urban water operator in West Africa - referenced indirectly in the data as a regional tariff benchmark (Senegal's Le 18,000/1000L vs Guma's Le 2,500).

Emerging players

• Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP): Multi-stakeholder organization supporting water utility service delivery to low-income urban communities. Comparable as a partner/capacity-builder ecosystem actor addressing pro-poor water access in African cities, complementing Guma's ProPoor and Community Services Unit.

Broad incumbents

• Lagos Water Corporation: Lagos State-owned water corporation serving Africa's largest city. Comparable as a much larger state-owned urban water utility facing similar demand-supply gap, non-revenue water, and infrastructure modernization challenges.

Others

• Freetown City Council: Local government authority and confirmed Guma Valley strategic partner on WASHAERP, IUWM, and water supply projects. Comparable as a municipal-level coordinating body for urban water and sanitation in the same territory.
• Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC): National multi-sector regulator for electricity and water in Sierra Leone. Comparable as the regulatory body that sets Guma's tariffs under the Guma Valley Water Company Act, making it a critical counterpart in the company's operating model.

Regional players

• Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation: Monrovia-based state-owned water utility serving Liberia. Directly comparable as a neighboring West African state-owned water utility operating under similar regulatory, infrastructural, and donor-funding conditions in a post-conflict setting.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@gumavalley
• Facebookfacebook.com/GumaValleyWaterCompany
• Instagraminstagram.com/gumavalley
• TikToktiktok.com/@gumavalleywatercompany

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GUMA Valley Water Company