Context
In 2013, 57% of the urban population and about a third of Zambia’s rural population had access to adequate sanitation. 83% of urban inhabitants had access to clean drinking water compared to 50% in rural areas, only. The inadequacy of basic supply of sanitation and drinking water has negative health impacts, caused by water borne diseases like diarrhoea, especially affecting young children. The high potential given by vast water resources of the country is not yet adequately used. Zambia faces challenges to provide sustainable access to water and sanitation services and to manage its water resources for an efficient use in agriculture and hydropower production, while maintaining its precious ecosystem, as well.
Objective
Improved legal, organizational and institutional framework conditions in the Zambian water sector have enhanced access to drinking water and basic sanitation services, and sustainable management of water resources in the context of climate change.
Strategy
German Development Cooperation has been a long-term partner to the Zambian water. GIZ is assisting Government to implement the National Rural and Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Programmes and to develop the institutional set-up foreseen by the Water Resources Management (WRM) Act of 2011.
At national level, the Reform of the Water Sector Programme advises the Ministry of Local Government and Housing (MLGH), the National Water and Sanitation Council (Regulator) and the Devolution Trust Fund, a funding mechanism for water supply and sanitation services for peri-urban households. At provincial level, selected water and sanitation utilities are supported to increase their efficiency. The Department of Housing and Infrastructures of MLGH is being supported to organize the Local Authorities at district level to plan, implement and maintain basic water and sanitation infrastructure, including health and hygiene promotion. Furthermore, the programme supports the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water Development (MMEWD) to develop guidelines and systems for efficient management of water resources, through the Water Resource Management Authority created in 2012. Water Development Plans elaborated by Catchment Councils aim to improve sustainable use of water resources, including adaptation to climate change. Private sector actors are strongly involved and interested to reduce water risks for investments in agriculture and hydropower.
Results and impacts
The Devolution Trust Fund has provided access to water supply facilities to approximately one million people. Sanitary improvements for 15.600 people have been reached within four sanitation projects. Another six projects on sanitation have started in 2012 and are expected to reach another 30.000 people. The water utilities supported by GIZ have improved their operational efficiency and Utility Governance, as confirmed by benchmarking system of the regulator NWASCO. The Provincial Support Team in the Eastern Province trained and advised more than 2.000 members of district councils, district committees and provincial administrations in areas like project management, monitoring, controlling and cross-cutting issues (gender, HIV/AIDS, environment). Since 2014, MLGH has elaborated an Urban Sanitation, a Capacity Development and a Gender Strategy, enabling it to better guide and harmonise activities in the water sector. The Water Resources Management Authority, since 2014, is developing its activities through installation catchment councils and introduction of a new permit system, for more equitable water use.
Improved access to water and sanitation and behaviour change in health and hygiene assumingly contribute to reduce the number of AIDS deaths, through better care. The program supports the regulator (NWASCO) and the eleven provincial urban water utilities to carry out work place programmes and external communication on HIV/ AIDS and Gender.