The Interim Water Code for Sierra Leone.

This Interim Water Code, initially drafted by international consultants and reviewed by experts of the Water Code Committee, sets requirements for minimum acceptable technical criteria for design and construction of water supply networks and associated products and materials, related to distribution of drinking water. This Water Code focuses on asset creation, and it is used for some other purposes such as replacement and renewal of water supply assets, therefore it is intended for planners, designers, service providers, governmental agencies and non-governmental organisations operating in the water sector. This Water Code concerns the following relevant matters: scope and objectives; demand, configuration and planning of hydraulic systems; definition of water quality standards; environmental considerations; pipeline systems and protection against degradation; products and materials; pipeline cleaning; disinfection; transportation and storage of materials.
Further topics covered by this Water Code concern: elaboration of contingency plan including provisions for managing: customer impacts of water supply systems realisation, environmental impacts and adaptation responses to impacts arising from climate change, environmental restoration, financial impacts, compliance with environmental standards, land ownership and planning requirements; adequate cleaning operations and disinfection of distribution system; identification of areas where construction of water reticulation and distribution lines should be avoided, including: waterways, wetlands, estuaries, contaminated land, national parks, nature reserves, state forest, stands of native vegetation, bushland, habitats of threatened native species; effects on vegetation and protection of trees.