Notebook
12
InfrastructureModelled
Water Pipeline Engineering
320 km pipeline · SWRO 500k m³/day Phase 3 · PN63 escarpment engineering · 4 pump stations
320 km
Berbera to Burco
Pipeline length
500,000
m³/day (SWRO)
Phase 3 capacity
1,550 m
coast to escarpment
Elevation gain
PN63
escarpment section
Pressure class
4
× 11 MW solar-powered
Pump stations
USD 0.55
/m³ (vs USD 12 today)
Water tariff
Water Balance — Phase 3
| Component | Volume | Source |
|---|---|---|
| SWRO desalination | 182.5 Mm³/yr | SWRO Plant (500k m³/day) |
| Highland dam catchment | +62.4 Mm³/yr | Dam (136 Mm³ storage) |
| TOTAL SUPPLY | 244.9 Mm³/yr | — |
| Berbera urban demand | 29.2 Mm³/yr | 80k m³/day × 365 |
| Sheikh + agriculture | 138.7 Mm³/yr | Irrigation dominant |
| Burco urban supply | 14.6 Mm³/yr | Phase 2 extension |
| Industrial (BEZ) | 40.2 Mm³/yr | Process water |
| TOTAL DEMAND | 222.7 Mm³/yr | — |
| Annual surplus | +22.2 Mm³/yr ✓ | Safety margin |
Dry-season gap (6 months): 19.8 Mm³ · Covered by 136 Mm³ dam (6.9-year buffer)
Pipeline Engineering by Section
| Section | Length | Pipe spec | Terrain | Key challenge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal plain | 65 km | DN1200 PCC | Flat, 0–50m | Gravel bedding, salt soil |
| Escarpment | 22 km | DN800 steel PN63 | 50–1,550m | 72–76 bar surge pressure |
| Highland plateau | 18 km | DN800 PCC | 1,550–1,200m | Rock anchors, bedding |
| Sheikh–Burco | 85 km | DN600 PE100 | 1,200–900m | Gravity, PRVs every 15 km |
| Urban distribution | 130 km | DN200–400 | Various | Service connections |
⚠ Critical engineering constraint
The escarpment section (22 km, 0 to 1,550m elevation gain) generates surge pressures of 72–76 bar during pump trip events. PN63 carbon steel pipe with surge analysis and PRVs is mandatory. Detailed hydraulic transient analysis is required at feasibility stage.
4 Pump Stations
PS-1
Location
Berbera SWRO plant
Elevation
5 m
Power
11 MW solar
Role
Primary lift — coastal plain section
PS-2
Location
Esc. base, 50m ASL
Elevation
50 m
Power
11 MW solar
Role
Escarpment boost station
PS-3
Location
Mid-escarpment, 800m ASL
Elevation
800 m
Power
11 MW solar
Role
Upper escarpment section
PS-4
Location
Sheikh highland
Elevation
1,550 m
Power
11 MW solar
Role
Highland plateau distribution
Capital Cost Breakdown
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| SWRO Plant Phase 1 (50k m³/d) | USD 45M |
| SWRO Phase 2 expansion | USD 180M |
| SWRO Phase 3 expansion | USD 350M |
| Pipeline (all sections) | USD 280M |
| Pump stations (×4) | USD 44M |
| Highland dam | USD 120M |
| Urban distribution | USD 65M |
| TOTAL water system | USD 1,084M |
Revenue at Phase 3
Urban water tariff
USD 100M/yr
USD 0.55/m³
Agricultural water
USD 48M/yr
USD 0.35/m³ (subsidised)
Industrial (BEZ)
USD 22M/yr
USD 1.50/m³
TOTAL water revenue
USD 170M/yr
—
Pipeline Route — Regional Corridor
The 320 km pipeline starts at the SWRO plant on Berbera's coastline, rises 1,550 m through the escarpment, and continues to Sheikh and Burco. Zoom out to see the full Greater Berbera corridor.