Access to Safe Drinking Water in Mauritania: An Energy-Autonomous Solution for Remote Communities

Access to Safe Drinking Water in Mauritania: An Energy-Autonomous Solution for Remote Communities

In Mauritania, TERGYS is deploying a solar-powered drinking water system designed to operate independently from the grid, helping improve access to safe water in remote communities.

Access to Safe Drinking Water in Mauritania: An Energy-Autonomous Solution for Remote Communities

As part of a project led by Groupe Ponticelli Frères and supported by the French Treasury’s FASEP funding program, TERGYS is delivering a fully energy-autonomous drinking water production system in southwestern Mauritania.

The project aims to provide reliable, long-term access to safe drinking water that meets World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for local communities in a region where infrastructure is limited and water resources face significant quality challenges.

A Challenging Water Source

Groundwater resources in this region present several treatment challenges:

  • High levels of iron and manganese;
  • High salinity levels typical of brackish groundwater;
  • High concentrations of calcium and magnesium;
  • Occasional microbiological contamination risks;
  • Limited or unreliable access to the electrical grid.

To address these challenges, TERGYS designed a comprehensive treatment process capable of delivering safe, high-quality drinking water while ensuring reliable operation and ease of maintenance in remote environments.

A Complete Drinking Water Production Solution

The system combines several complementary treatment stages:

  • Iron and Manganese Removal

The first treatment stage removes naturally occurring iron and manganese from the raw water, protecting downstream equipment and ensuring the quality of the treated water.

The treatment process includes an ultrafiltration stage that removes suspended solids and fine particles while providing an effective barrier against microbiological contaminants.

A low-pressure reverse osmosis unit then removes dissolved salts from the brackish water, producing drinking water that meets the required health and quality standards.

Fully Energy-Autonomous Operation

The entire system operates independently of the electrical grid thanks to:

  • A solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant;
  • A battery energy storage system (BESS);
  • A TERGYS-developed energy management system that optimizes water production based on available energy resources.

This system architecture ensures reliable operation, even in the most remote locations.

A Scalable Solution for Wider Deployment

Beyond this initial deployment, the project represents an important step toward the wider rollout of standardized, robust solutions for providing safe drinking water in rural communities.

This approach can be replicated across other locations in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, helping to sustainably improve access to safe drinking water for communities beyond the reach of conventional infrastructure.

Contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This project directly contributes to the achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6):

“Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.”

Project Partners

  • Groupe Ponticelli Frères
  • Directorate General of the French Treasury (FASEP Program)
  • Ministry of Water and Sanitation of Mauritania
  • TERGYS

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