Lawrence Samuel stands by the Nile River, reflecting on how much Juba has changed since he was born in the 1950s. Back then, Juba was a quiet riverside town; today, it is the bustling capital of South Sudan.

He recalls how families once gathered at the river to collect water, carrying it home in tin cans balanced on their heads. This daily ritual created a sense of community, with designated parts of the river for bathing and others for drinking, blending practicality with tradition.

Alongside drinking and bathing, the river also provides food, with fish as a part of resident’s diet.” Photo: The Niles / Samir Bol

Lawrence reminisces about neighbours supporting each other and sharing laughs as they collected water—a task that was also a social lifeline. But things are different now. With Juba’s rapid growth, there’s a high demand for clean water but no comprehensive system to meet it.

Street vendors after work, adapting to the city’s rapid growth and the mounting demand for essential resources like clean water. Photo: The Niles / Samir Bol

Lawrence also remembers when the government established a piped water system in the late 1970s and early 1980s, making access easier. However, that system no longer functions today, and residents rely on external sources.

Sizeable blue water tankers have become a common sight. These trucks provide water but serve as a reminder of the city’s unresolved water crisis.

Water tankers are filled to supply Juba’s residents with much-needed water. Photo: The Niles / Samir Bol

Resident Rabeh George Lado notes that after the 2005 peace agreement, water tankers became increasingly common with the arrival of more residents and foreign workers. The growing population raised demand, but it also highlighted the challenge of creating local jobs and ensuring self-sufficiency in water supply.

Edward Nagbong, who manages a water station, points out that about 90% of water transporters are from outside South Sudan. This reality raises questions about the country’s reliance on outside sources and the need for local, sustainable solutions to water access.

The streams that once supported the community for bathing, washing, and farming have faded from daily life, leaving only memories. With climate change and urbanisation, Juba now faces new challenges, as the Nile’s unpredictable behaviour tests the city’s resilience.

After heavy rains, little streams carry plastic waste and debris from the city, underscoring the strain on Juba’s waste management. Photo: The Niles / Samir Bol

With climate change, seasonal flooding now displaces residents near the river, forcing them to higher ground. Guerkek, a community near the Lado Mountains, regularly experiences severe flooding, which drives families from their homes during the rainy season.

The community’s strength emerges as people like Diana Nene and Henry Sule volunteer to help their neighbours, using boats to transport displaced families to safe locations. While such acts showcase solidarity, residents desire long-term solutions, such as reinforced embankments or improved drainage systems, to reduce future risks.

Rising water levels from the Nile pose challenges for communities as flooding affects the land and access to clean water. Photo: The Niles / Samir Bol

And outside of flood season, water access can be precarious. In Malakia, a construction worker named Rami John pays a dollar per barrel for water delivered over 3–4 kilometres. For residents with limited means, the high price of water places added pressure on their lives.

As August turns to September, the story shifts to those who depend on the river to sustain agriculture. In Bogor, farmer Joseph Akulang uses river water to irrigate his crops, underscoring the Nile’s ongoing role in supporting local farming, even amid climate challenges.

In Bogor, Joseph Akulang tends to his crops with water drawn from the Nile, reflecting the river’s enduring role in sustaining agriculture in Juba. Photo: The Niles / Samit Bol

Looking ahead, Juba’s water challenges call for innovative, sustainable approaches. Collaborative efforts to improve waste management, reinforce embankments, and expand local water infrastructure could strengthen resilience against flooding and secure cleaner water for all.

Initiatives like community-led water stations, support for local water tankers, and climate-adaptive agricultural practices offer pathways to a more self-sufficient and sustainable water future.

For Juba’s residents, the Nile will continue to be a source of life and opportunity, and with coordinated action, it can better support the community’s needs and growth in the years to come.