The city of Ziguinchor took a decisive step this morning with the launch of the Zig-Zag project, an initiative led by the National Sanitation Office of Senegal (ONAS), AgroParisTech – “Water for All” Chair, and the Occitanie Region. The objective: to make the southern capital a pioneering city in the reuse of treated wastewater, in a context marked by water scarcity and climate challenges.

Breaking with linear logic

The Director General of ONAS, Séni Diène, emphasized the need for a paradigm shift. "We want to break with the linear logic of collection and disposal. The objective is to add value to the products of sanitation – treated water, stabilized sludge, gas – in order to support sustainable agriculture and improve soil fertility."

This circular approach reduces input costs, preserves soil fertility, and allows for year-round market gardening, regardless of rainfall.

A territorial project

Presiding over the ceremony, the deputy prefect of Ziguinchor, Modou Samb, representing the governor, emphasized the strategic importance of the project: "Zig-Zag embodies the national vision based on the triptych of reduce-reuse-recycle, with a target of 30% wastewater reuse by 2030."

He noted that Ziguinchor, a city of water, but one that has long struggled with pollution and discharges into the Casamance River, must reconcile itself with its resource. The project modernizes collection and treatment, while protecting public health and improving quality of life.

Casamance, a land of experimentation

For Jean-Antoine Fabi, director of the "Water for All" chair at AgroParisTech, the choice of Casamance is strategic: "An exceptional region for market gardening, but confronted with the salinity of the river and heavy rains, Ziguinchor must focus on the reuse of wastewater and sludge to extend agricultural activities into the dry season."

Local market gardeners, rice farmers and associations will be directly involved in the management and distribution of recycled water, ensuring an inclusive and sustainable approach.

Towards a green and resilient city

Beyond sanitation, Zig-Zag aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6.2 on universal access to sanitation. Technical and financial partners, as well as local authorities, share a common goal: to transform water constraints into resources, to reconcile the city and its river, urban and rural areas, and public health and economic activity.

Ziguinchor is thus preparing to turn the page on polluting discharges and write the page on a green city, a pioneer in the circular water economy and resolutely committed to sustainability.