Innovative groundwater and surface water management in the Southern Province of Zambia

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Rising temperatures, changes in the distribution of precipitation, decreasing amounts of precipitation and strong population growth associated with climate change are leading to a reduction in water availability, especially from surface water resources, in the southern province of Zambia. At the same time, the potential of existing groundwater resources in the intervention area is not being used sufficiently and inefficiently. Pollutant inputs and inadequate protection of existing well catchment areas endanger groundwater quality. There is no operational monitoring system for integrated water resource and demand planning at the water supplier level. Necessary measures to adapt to the consequences of climate change are therefore not possible. As a result of the points mentioned, the water supply security of the population of Choma is at risk (core problem). The following measures are being implemented to address the core problem: 1. Securing groundwater usage capacities in conjunction with increasing the share of groundwater in the overall supply, 2. Contribution to ensuring groundwater quality and protecting groundwater extraction wells and 3. Establishing an operational monitoring system for integrated water resource and demand planning and the associated management instruments. The aim of the measures is to make the water supply in the southern province of Zambia, particularly in the city of Choma, more resilient and to contribute to adaptation to climate change. The target group includes the entire population of Choma, in particular the poor population living in the peri-urban and adjacent rural areas who are severely affected by the consequences of climate change. The total costs of the project of EUR 10.0 million will be covered by a grant of the same amount. In addition, the executing agency will receive specific technical support through training and further education measures (including on-the-job training).