Water and Sanitation in the Neighborhood of Guet Ndar-Senegal Cheikh DIOP

The various political regimes that have succeeded Senegal have initiated different projects, programs, strategies and plans in several sectors including "Plan Senegal Emergent (PSE)" which is the latest to place Senegal in ramps of the emergence or development. The results were more or less satisfactory. Therefore, it seems important, through this study, to mention an important part of water and sanitation in our human settlements: neighborhoods without adequate treatment, may further delay the long awaited emergence/development of our country. One of the major events in recent decades in Senegal is Guet Ndar, a neighborhood located in the Municipality of Saint-Louis in northern Senegal, is a perfect illustration with a high concentration of the population in urban areas consecutive high rate of natural increase. The physical constraints to the expansion of the district, it is densely populated over the years both in terms of habitat and population, reaching a population of more than 16,000 inhabitants on a 16.9 hectares [1], making it one of the most densely populated areas of Senegal. In these conditions, access to water and sanitation for that district of populations is complicated by the current lack of planned and operational solution. The town of Saint-Louis, in this context of the policy in support of the people's problems, is considering a number of projects to improve the environment and living conditions of the population. Guet Ndar is characterized by: narrow streets, promiscuity, lack or weakness of networks (water, electricity, telephone, sanitation, and roads), amenities (schools, health, socio-educational, worship, etc.) and the lack of property titles. Eventually, the living conditions in these areas will be significantly improved with the resolution of the problem of water and sanitation, which are the necessities. Yet the challenge of the emergence and sustainable development of Guet Ndar will be difficult to meet if the area is not properly sanitized. It constitutes a real bottleneck for the City of St. Louis. In this respect, in a context where the emergence is brandished as, lack of sanitation should not find its place in municipalities and cities of Senegal leading to be the locomotive of growth. This study provides some possible solutions to create better living conditions for the residents of Guet Ndar and could assist local authorities in their missions.