Review of Water Demand Management in Zambia

1
Review of Water Demand Management in Zambia

• By
• Litumelo Mate
• Synopsis Presented at the IHDP Workshop - June
  2002

2
SCHEME OF THE PRESENTATION

• Introduction
• Objectives of the Study
• Why Water Demand Management?
• WDM Measures
• Constraints
• Conclusion

3
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

• To increase awareness of WDM amongst politicians,
  professionals and other role players in the water
  supply chain
• Disseminate information on benefits of WDM
• Document application and testing of WDM measures
  and promote replication of best practices in
  different sectors.

4
WATER DEMAND MGT

• An approach that aims to conserve water by
  controlling demand which involves the application
  of selective instruments and incentives to
  promote efficient and equitable use of water
• Accessibility and increased coverage through
  supply measures not undermined

5
WHY WDM?

• Notion of abundant water resources
• - Mean precipitation of 1000mm compared to global
  average of 860mm
• - Renewable ground and surface water resources
  estimated at 144 cubic kilometers- per capita of
  19,500 cubic metres per annum.
• Water considered to be a finite good
• -Availability dependent on amount and consistency
  of rainfall

6
WHY WDM?

• Climatic changes- experiences of drought in 1991-
  1992, 1995- 96, 2001-2002 seasons. - Regional
  differences north and south- migration to the
  north.
• - High temperatures
• Geographical location of the country- upstream
• - Availability- 3 consumed as domestic,
  industrial - 1 ground water for drinking and
  irrigation- 42 hydroelectric power- 97 water
  flows to other countries.

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ZAMBEZI BASIN
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WHY WDM?

• Shared water courses- potential for conflict or
  co-operation
• Population increase- exert more pressure on the
  resource- ensure accessibility by all social
  groups.
• Economic performance- other pressing needs
  requiring attention by governments

9
Technological
Regulatory
WDM MEASURES
Economic
Social
10
WDM MEASURES

• Regulatory- Laws, policies, strategies to control
  quality and quantity of water.
• - e.g Water Act 1948- controls surface water
  abstraction and not ground water.
• - Water and Sanitation Act- 1997- led to
  commercialisation of water supply and
  establishment of a water regulatory body.
• - EPPCA 1990- controls water pollution
• Regulations on rationing

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WDM MEASURES

• Economic Measures-
• - water pricing- differential tariffs-
  undeveloped pricing system, flat rate versus
  block system.
• Technological Measures-
• - metering- expense associate with acquisition
• - infrastructure improvements- reduce losses-
  LWSCO 55, AHC- 60 unaccounted for water from
  source.

12
WDM MEASURES

• Water recycling and reuse- highly recommended for
  bulk users- expense of technology
• Public Education and Awareness on water usage- to
  change attitudes from free service orientation

13
CONSTRAINTS

• Social constraints
• - inequality and poverty- social differentiation
  in the provision of services
• - affordability and willingness to pay
• Natural constraints
• - abundant water, drought

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REGIONAL ISSUES

• Zambia shares three water courses
• National integrated water resource management
  systems has to take into account the regional
  interests.
• Regulations of relevance- SADC Treaty 1990- SADC
  Protocol on shared water course systems
• Constraints in reaching consensus on joint devpt
  due to diverse interests amongst countries

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CONCLUSION

• National level-
• Commercialisation of the water sector has
  introduced a conservation dimension
• Regional level-
• There are challenges of co-operation due to
  differences in national priorities.