A coalition of civil society organizations has strongly condemned the government’s decision to impose a 15% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on bottled and bowser water in Sierra Leone, describing the move as ”economically regressive, socially unjust, and medically dangerous.”

In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the groups expressed deep concern that the tax will further burden households at a time when millions of Sierra Leoneans lack reliable access to clean and safe drinking water. According to the 2021 Joint Monitoring Programmed (JMP), only 11% of the population has access to uncontaminated water sources, while a 2023 survey revealed that 63% of households still depend on purchased bottled or bowser water for daily consumption.

The organizations argue that water remains a public health necessity, not a commodity to be taxed. They warn that the GST will lead to reduced access to safe water, worsen diseases such as typhoid and diarrhea, and increase out-of-pocket medical expenses for low-income families.

They further noted that Sierra Leone already loses an estimated 5% of its GDP annually due to illnesses and productivity losses linked to inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. Introducing additional taxes on drinking water, they said, contradicts national WASH commitments and undermines efforts to ensure universal access to safe water.

Related News

The CSOs urged government to look instead at closing tax loopholes, reducing corporate exemptions, and improving revenue collection to address fiscal challenges highlighting that Sierra Leone lost NLe 3.5 billion in tax exemptions in 2023 alone, representing 35% of domestic revenue.

The statement concludes with a strong call for authorities to ”immediately reverse” the 15% GST on bottled and bowser water, insisting that taxing a basic necessity poses severe health and economic risks to already vulnerable communities.