Water for Africa Experts
Eng. Yeabkal Mulatu Legas

Eng. Yeabkal Mulatu Legas

Water Supply & Sanitation Engineer | NRW Reduction, DMA Establishment, Hydraulic Modelling, Pipeline Rehabilitation & Urban Water Distribution Specialist
📍 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Professional Summary

Eng. Yeabkal Mulatu Legas is an Ethiopian Water Supply and Sanitation Engineer specializing in non-revenue water reduction, District Metered Area establishment, hydraulic modelling, pipeline rehabilitation, pressure-zone management, and urban water distribution systems.

He holds a BSc in Hydraulics and Water Resources Engineering from Jimma University and has built a strong practical career in Ethiopia’s urban water sector. His professional experience is directly connected to Addis Ababa’s water supply challenges, especially water loss reduction, network performance improvement, pipeline rehabilitation, and service reliability.

His current work with Miya Water S.A.R.L. places him within the World Bank-funded water loss reduction programme on Addis Ababa’s water supply network. In this role, he works with DMA specialists and expert teams to establish District Metered Areas, manage NRW reduction activities, supervise construction, identify network improvement works, and prepare technical designs for pipeline installations.

Before joining Miya Water, Yeabkal worked with Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority as Water Supply and NRW Engineer. He contributed to urban water supply infrastructure, DMA establishment, pressure-zone management, water distribution improvement, construction supervision, BOQ preparation, technical documentation, and map updating using GIS and AutoCAD tools.

His collaboration with Vitens Evides International and JICA adds important international exposure to his profile. Through these partnerships, he contributed to water loss reduction, pipe renovation, NRW management, field work, technical coordination, and capacity-building activities in Addis Ababa’s water sector.

Yeabkal’s technical strength lies in his practical field understanding. He works where the problems happen: in water distribution networks, DMA boundaries, pressure zones, pipe rehabilitation areas, construction sites, and field investigations. This makes him valuable not only as a designer, but also as an implementation-focused engineer who understands real water utility challenges.

His profile brings strong value to AquaLinked / Water for Africa Experts because he represents a practical African urban water engineer capable of helping cities reduce water losses, improve network efficiency, strengthen NRW management, rehabilitate aging pipelines, and deliver more reliable water services to communities.

Expertise

Water supply systems sanitation engineering non-revenue water reduction NRW management water loss reduction District Metered Area establishment DMA management pressure zone management water distribution systems hydraulic modelling hydraulic analysis network optimization pipeline rehabilitation pipe renovation water supply network design pipeline installation design construction supervision BOQ preparation technical reporting technical documentation field technician coordination engineer coordination asset survey network investigation map updating ArcGIS QGIS AutoCAD WaterCAD GIS-supported water network management World Bank-funded water projects JICA-supported pipe renovation Vitens Evides water loss reduction urban water infrastructure sustainable water service delivery.

Specialties

non-revenue water reduction NRW management water loss reduction District Metered Area establishment DMA engineering pressure zone management hydraulic modelling water distribution network optimization pipeline rehabilitation pipe renovation water supply network design construction supervision BOQ preparation technical design field investigation network investigation asset and pipeline assessment ArcGIS QGIS AutoCAD WaterCAD urban water supply sanitation infrastructure World Bank water loss reduction JICA pipe renovation Vitens Evides water loss reduction Addis Ababa water supply systems utility performance improvement.

Projects & Contributions

  • World Bank-Funded Water Loss Reduction Project – Miya Water S.A.R.L.
    Works as NRW Engineer / DMA Engineer on the World Bank-funded water loss reduction project on Addis Ababa’s water supply network. His contribution includes DMA establishment, water loss reduction activities, construction supervision, technical design for pipeline installations, hydraulic performance improvement, and coordination with DMA specialists and expert teams.
  • District Metered Area Establishment and Management
    Manages and supports establishment of District Metered Areas to improve water distribution control, isolate network zones, support leakage monitoring, improve pressure management, and strengthen accountability in urban water supply operations.
  • Hydraulic Performance Improvement of Water Distribution Networks
    Identifies required works for improving hydraulic performance of water supply networks, including pipeline improvements, pressure-zone adjustments, network investigations, and field-based recommendations that support better water distribution efficiency.
  • Pipeline Network Installation Design and Construction Supervision
    Prepares technical designs for pipeline network installations and supervises construction activities related to water distribution improvement, NRW reduction, and network rehabilitation works.
  • Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority – Water Supply and NRW Engineering
    Served as Water Supply and NRW Engineer at Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority, contributing to critical urban water infrastructure, water distribution management, DMA establishment, pressure-zone management, construction supervision, BOQ preparation, and technical documentation.
  • Vitens Evides International Water Loss Reduction Project
    Worked with Vitens Evides International on a water loss reduction project funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ethiopia. His contribution supported NRW reduction, water distribution efficiency, field coordination, and international knowledge exchange.
  • JICA Pipe Renovation and NRW Reduction Project
    Worked with JICA on pipe renovation and NRW reduction activities, contributing to pipeline rehabilitation, water loss reduction, field investigations, and improvement of Addis Ababa’s water supply infrastructure.
  • Pressure Zone Management and Water Distribution Efficiency
    Established and managed pressure zones to improve system performance, reduce leakage, support hydraulic balance, and improve the efficiency of water distribution networks.
  • ArcGIS and AutoCAD Map Updating for Water Networks
    Updated water supply network maps using ArcGIS and AutoCAD, supporting accurate documentation, better planning, improved field coordination, and stronger utility data management.
  • Water Supply Network Design for Water-Scarce Areas
    Studied and designed water supply networks for areas affected by water scarcity, contributing to improved service delivery, network expansion, and practical urban water supply solutions.
  • BOQ Preparation and Water Infrastructure Documentation
    Prepared bills of quantities, technical documents, and project records for water and sanitation construction projects, supporting transparent project implementation and better construction management.
  • Field Technician and Engineer Coordination
    Worked closely with field technicians, engineers, DMA specialists, and expert teams to implement water loss reduction, network investigation, construction supervision, and water distribution improvement activities.
  • WaterCAD, QGIS, ArcGIS and AutoCAD-Based Technical Support
    Applies WaterCAD, QGIS, ArcGIS, AutoCAD and related technical tools for hydraulic analysis, map updating, network interpretation, design support, and data-driven decision-making in water supply systems.
  • Training and Technical Certification in Water Treatment, GIS, ICT and Leadership
    Completed technical and professional training in water treatment, SAP software, ArcGIS, ICT and computer technology, Addis Ababa leadership, service delivery and professional ethics, and field-level leadership, strengthening both technical and professional capacity.
  • Future Contribution: Efficient, Resilient and Data-Driven Urban Water Systems
    Aims to contribute to resilient and efficient water supply systems, non-revenue water reduction, hydraulic analysis, smart water management technologies, sustainable infrastructure development, WASH programmes, and data-driven utility improvement across Ethiopia and Africa.