Plizio Visual Lab

Ziga Water Treatment

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

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The Ziga Water Treatment Plant is a vital infrastructure facility dedicated to supplying potable water to Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou. Located approximately 50 kilometers northeast of the city, the plant is fed by the Ziga Dam on the Nakambé River. The project was realized in multiple phases, with Ziga I commencing operations in 2004 and the Ziga II expansion completed in 2017 to meet the demands of a rapidly growing urban population. Managed by the national water utility ONEA, the plant employs modern sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection technologies to ensure water quality meets international standards. Treated water is transported via large-scale pipelines to the capital, significantly reducing reliance on seasonal groundwater and mitigating water shortages. This strategic project was funded through cooperation between the Burkinabe government and international partners such as the World Bank and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD). Ziga stands as a monumental achievement in water resource management in the Sahel, playing a critical role in public health and the economic stability of the metropolitan region.

Location: Burkina Faso
Nearby: Ziniaré (24 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Nov, Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	23	27	30	32	32	30	27	26	27	28	26	23
Rain mm	1	1	3	26	63	107	178	245	147	45	1	0

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

The Ziga Water Treatment Plant is a key drinking-water facility for Ouagadougou, helping to supply the capital with treated water. It plays a crucial role in water supply for the growing population and public health.

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Visiting

The facility is not open to the public, but the outdoor areas with settling basins and filters are visible from the fence. Usually, no visits are possible, but occasionally guided tours are arranged for school groups or professional visitors.

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Where to view it

A good public viewpoint is the bridge over the Ziga Dam, from which the entire treatment plant and reservoir can be seen. The nearby hill in the village of Ziga also provides a good overview.

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Local products

The facility produces treated drinking water, distributed through the Ouagadougou water network. In the area around the Ziga Dam, villages grow agricultural products such as millet, maize, and vegetables, sold at local markets.

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Active season

The water treatment plant operates year-round, with demand highest during the dry season (November to May). During this time, maximum capacity is used to alleviate water scarcity in the capital.

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Nearby

A visit to the Ziga Water Treatment Plant can be combined with an excursion to the Ziga Reservoir and the surrounding nature reserve. In Ouagadougou itself, the central market and the National Museum offer interesting cultural insights.

Geography

Coordinates

12.61670, -1.08330

Facts

The Ziga Dam has a storage capacity of roughly 200 million cubic meters.
Ziga I was officially commissioned in 2004 to serve Ouagadougou.
The Ziga II expansion was completed in 2017 to handle urban growth.
The plant is operated by ONEA, the national water and sanitation office.
Treated water is pumped through a 50 km pipeline to reach the city.
The facility is essential for mitigating the impact of climate change in the Sahel.