GUMA Valley Water Company
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1961
- HeadquartersFreetown, Sierra Leone
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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.
GUMA Valley Water Company firmographics
Firmographics- 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
GUMA Valley Water Company industry classification
Industry- 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
Where GUMA Valley Water Company is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Freetown
- HQ country
- Sierra Leone
Offices8 records
Markets served
GUMA Valley Water Company business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- 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.
- New Service Connections: Fees for new water service line installations. Customers pay installation fees based on the size of service line or distance.
- Reconnection Fees: Fees charged for reconnecting existing customers. Domestic reconnection is Le 60,000 and commercial reconnection is Le 150,000.
- Bowser Deliveries: Revenue from water deliveries by bowser to underserved and unserved communities.
- 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
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Domestic Reconnection Fee |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Commercial Reconnection Fee |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Current Water Tariff |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Billing Cycle |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Universal Metering Contract |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
GUMA Valley Water Company product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use GUMA Valley Water Company
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
GUMA Valley Water Company technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
GUMA Valley Water Company partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- China Henan International Corporation Group (CHICO)coreContractor 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)minorMOU partner for recruitment and training of plumbers involved in meter installation exercise as part of universal metering program.
- Government Technical Institute (GTI)minorMOU partner for recruitment and training of plumbers involved in meter installation exercise as part of universal metering program.
- World Vision Sierra LeonecoreImplemented 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 LimitedcorePartner 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)corePartner 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 CouncilcorePartner 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 ResourcescoreParent 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
GUMA Valley Water Company competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
GUMA Valley Water Company social profiles
Digital presenceGUMA Valley Water Company financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GUMA Valley Water Company leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
GUMA Valley Water Company funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GUMA Valley Water Company M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about GUMA Valley Water Company
What does GUMA Valley Water Company do?
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.
Is GUMA Valley Water Company a public or private company?
GUMA Valley Water Company is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was GUMA Valley Water Company founded?
GUMA Valley Water Company was founded in 1961.
Where is GUMA Valley Water Company based?
GUMA Valley Water Company is headquartered in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
How does GUMA Valley Water Company make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Water Supply Tariffs are the primary driver. The others are new Service Connections, reconnection Fees, bowser Deliveries and prepaid Metering.
Who are GUMA Valley Water Company's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Dar es Salaam Water and Sewerage Authority (DAWASA), Ghana Water Company Limited, National Water and Sewerage Corporation (Uganda), Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company and Sénégalaise des Eaux (SDE). Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP) is listed as an emerging player. Lagos Water Corporation is listed as a broad incumbent. Others are Freetown City Council and Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC). Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation is listed as a regional player.
Does GUMA Valley Water Company have an API?
No public API is recorded for GUMA Valley Water Company.
What industry is GUMA Valley Water Company in?
GUMA Valley Water Company's product category is Water Utility Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAG, Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration, with a secondary code of BPAIAMAE, Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater). Its NAICS code is 22131 and its SIC code is 4941.