The Androy region, long plagued by water shortages, now has new infrastructure to improve the supply of drinking water. Funded by the state budget, the project now supplies the city of Ambovombe.
Ambovombe has been buzzing with excitement for several days. “There is a celebration everywhere in the city; people are honking horns and celebrating because drinking water has finally arrived,” said Tsimanova Nazaire Paubert, an Androy native who has followed the region’s long-standing ‘kere’ (famine/drought) issues for years. This festive atmosphere accompanies the testing phase of the public water fountains in the city, which are supplied by the Andranogoa water treatment plant, drawing water from the Sampoina River.
The event is of great significance to the residents, who are relieved to move away from the brackish water that previously caused significant hardship. Residents also hope for a reduction in water prices, as the current cost of 1,000 ariary per container is expected to drop to under 500 ariary.
The project, inaugurated by the President of the Republic of Madagascar, the Prime Minister, and several government members, aims to provide drinking water to the Androy population. According to the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, the project connects the 300 m³ reservoir in Andranogoa to a 200 m³ reservoir in Ambovombe, benefiting approximately 33,500 residents with a daily supply of 300 m³ of water.
The President emphasized that this is only the first step, announcing that a seawater desalination project is scheduled to begin in November, with the goal of being fully operational by early February.
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-23 06:08:34 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/fin-dune-galere-leau-arrive-ambovombe.html