A SENZANJE; T E SIMALENGA AND J JIYANE

16 November 2011

Definition and Categorization of Small Water Infrastructures (SWIs) in Limpopo Basin:

Issues and challenges for water availability and sustainability

3RD INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON WATER AND FOOD St Georges Hotel, Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA

BACKGROUND

•Erratic rainfall patterns, frequent droughts: low, risky agric.

production for small-scale/emerging farmers (low market value crops)

Access to water for small-scale agricultural production is low due to unavailability of adequate water infrastructures resulting in:

a)low yields, b)food insecurity and c)high poverty levels in the rural population in the basin.

Efforts and investments towards water infrastructure have not been overly successful in the basin.

The study has attempted to categorize these small water infrastructure and determine their availability and sustainability.

Small Scale water infrastructure in Limpopo Basin

Definition of Small Scale Water Infrastructure

Small dam

Small irrigation scheme

Bore hole

Reservoirs and Deep wells

Factors affecting performance

• Availability Water quality Increased number of people per SWI

• Capacity Limited potential storage Walking distance

• Continuity Alternative water source(s) Households socioeconomic status

• Overall performance and Sustainability Capacity Condition Multiple use of SWI

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(3) Importance of SWI to munities

• Water for domestic, agriculture and livestock

• Improved livelihoods and secondary benefits

• Extent and type of use for different types of SWI for different communities depending on:

livelihood activities

availability of SWI type per ward

availability of alternative water source (s)

ease of operation

Sustainability of SWI to communities

Conclusions

1) SWI has a role to play in rural livelihoods in Limpopo

2) Overall performance of SWI depends on Water quality and Capacity

3) Factors with significant effects on SWI performance and sustainability: Appropriate management structures and financial arrangements for

SWI maintenance at community level availability of other livelihood activities availability of alternative water source(s) The MUS for a particular SWI

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