Cape Verde Utility Fights 60% Water Loss in Praia Crackdown
The public utility company Águas de Santiago (AdS) has launched a fresh crackdown on illegal water connections in Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, as it battles a staggering 60% loss in its distribution network. The company announced the measures on Saturday, highlighting the critical threat these losses pose to its economic and operational survival.
A System in Crisis
In a statement summarizing recent field operations, AdS revealed that more than half of the water pumped into the capital’s system never reaches a legitimate tap. “In the city of Praia, total losses rise to approximately 60% of the volume of water provided to the system,” the utility explained. “This poses a significant challenge to the sustainability and efficiency of the public supply.”
To combat this, AdS has prioritized the dismantling of illicit connections, which remain a primary driver of the network’s inefficiency. The company stressed that “the fight against illicit connections constitutes an important front of action” to secure the city’s water future.
Joint Enforcement and Awareness
The latest enforcement actions were conducted in partnership with the Multisectoral Regulatory Agency of the Economy (ARME) and experts from Water Services Consulting and Management (WSCM). During operations last Wednesday and Thursday in the Palmarejo and Vila Esperança neighborhoods, inspection teams successfully dismantled seven illegal connections. Following the raids, the company held an awareness-raising campaign on Friday to educate residents on the legal and social impacts of water theft.
Calls for Stricter Penalties
Clandestine connections have long plagued the Cape Verdean capital, sparking intense public debate over how to manage the crisis. In 2024, AdS President Nilton Duarte called for the official criminalization of illegal water connections. He argued for a legal framework similar to the one established in 2014 for the electrical grid, which introduced harsher penalties for power theft.
The crackdown comes amid rising frustration from law-abiding citizens. Many families in Praia report that despite paying their monthly bills consistently, they suffer from dry taps and inconsistent service—a failure largely attributed to the strain placed on the system by illegal siphoning. AdS concluded its statement by calling for “the responsibility and collaboration of everyone” to help preserve the city’s most vital resource.
Image: Pexels – Jan van der Wolf
