Published: May 8, 2026
PLEEBO, Maryland County — After nearly five decades as a city without running water, Pleebo is getting its first pipe-borne water system, a government-funded project that officials say will deliver treated water to thousands of residents in southeastern Liberia by mid-2027.
The Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation broke ground on the project in July 2025. When completed, the system will draw groundwater from four solar-powered boreholes, treat it on site and distribute it by gravity from a 20-meter elevated storage tower capable of holding approximately 120,000 gallons.
LWSC Managing Director Mohammed Ali toured the construction sites in Pleebo on Thursday alongside engineers and local officials, inspecting progress on the tower, borehole locations and pipeline routes.
“Pleebo never had a water system before, so this is a new project entirely for the city,” said LWSC Resident Engineer Browne Pouh. “The people are very happy and cooperative because they understand the importance of having safe drinking water.”
Chinese firm Tenda Construction Company is carrying out the work under a contract fully financed by the Government of Liberia. A completion deadline of June 30, 2027, has been set.
Ali said the elevated tower is among the most technically and financially demanding components of the project, noting that its design life spans between 75 and 100 years. The structure is being built on high ground to exploit Pleebo’s hilly terrain and allow water to flow under natural pressure without continuous mechanical pumping.
Four-inch transmission lines will carry untreated water from the boreholes to the treatment facility and tower, while smaller distribution pipes will extend service into residential communities. The system is initially designed to connect roughly 400 direct customers, with public standpipes planned to serve additional residents.
Ali said Liberian workers are performing the bulk of the construction, from trench digging and pipe installation to structural works at the tower site.
Pleebo City Mayor Larry Geekor called the project a historic milestone, noting the city has lacked this basic infrastructure since attaining city status in 1977.
“Our people are excited because this project will change lives and improve public health,” Geekor said, adding that residents in the project corridor have willingly cleared land to allow construction to proceed.
Geekor expressed confidence that residents would pay for water service once the system goes live, drawing a parallel to the city’s existing electricity billing culture.
Maryland County is home to some of Liberia’s most commercially active southeastern communities. LWSC officials said the Pleebo project is part of a broader effort by the Boakai administration to extend water and sanitation infrastructure beyond the capital.
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