The Government of Liberia, through the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC), with financing support from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the OPEC Fund for International Development, proposes to implement the Replacement of the Main Water Transmission Line Project (REMAWATL). The project involves the replacement of approximately 15.2 km of the existing 36-inch water transmission pipeline with a 48-inch ductile iron pipeline, extending from McCauley Hill, Johnsonville through Paynesville to Congo Town in Greater Monrovia.

The objective of the project is to improve the reliability, efficiency, and capacity of potable water supply to Monrovia and surrounding communities by addressing frequent leakages, pressure losses, and service interruptions associated with the aging transmission infrastructure. Additional project components include the installation of 10,000 smart prepaid water meters, upgrading of booster pump stations, and institutional strengthening and capacity building for LWSC.

An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) was conducted in compliance with the Environmental Protection and Management Law of Liberia, the EPA ESIA Procedural Guidelines, and the African Development Bank Integrated Safeguards System. The ESIA assessed baseline environmental and social conditions along the project corridor, evaluated project alternatives, identified potential risks and impacts, and developed appropriate mitigation and monitoring measures.

As part of the ESIA process, a site verification and field engagement exercise was conducted along the proposed project corridor. This exercise focused on verifying existing environmental and social conditions on the ground, identifying sensitive receptors, confirming land use patterns, and observing potential interaction points between project activities and surrounding communities, public infrastructure, and natural features. The field engagement supported the validation of baseline data and informed the identification of potential risks and mitigation measures.

The ESIA identified temporary and localized environmental and social impacts primarily during the construction phase, including dust and noise generation, traffic and pedestrian disruption, waste generation, occupational health and safety risks, and short-term disturbances to roadside economic activities. These impacts are considered manageable and reversible. A costed Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) has been prepared to guide the effective mitigation, monitoring, and management of identified risks throughout the project lifecycle.

The ESIA concludes that the project is environmentally and socially acceptable, provided that the recommended mitigation measures, monitoring arrangements, and safeguard instruments are fully implemented. The project is expected to deliver significant long-term benefits, including improved access to safe drinking water, enhanced public health outcomes, reduced non-revenue water, job creation during construction, and strengthened institutional capacity within Liberia’s water sector.