The aim of this study was to analyse how an IWRM system can improve the potable water situation in Chimoio and to assess the potential and challenges of implementation. The results show that indeed there is a shortage of potable water in Chimoio and there is a need of sustainable management of the resource to increase supply. The concept of IWRM however is influenced by many factors such as history, culture, and politics (Holmström 2019).
The assessment of water availability, distribution, management, and quality in Chimoio reveals a complex interplay of factors influencing the city's water system. While Chimoio benefits from access to the Chicamba dam as a primary water source, challenges in infrastructure, distribution, and management contribute to water stress and affect the quality-of-service delivery. The reliance on both municipal and groundwater sources underscores the significance of groundwater as an alternative water source, and reliance on groundwater from wells and boreholes poses health risks due to potential contamination, compounded by limited treatment and monitoring. Additionally, Groundwater exploitation has become a global issue with the increased exploitation leading to poor water quality (Gregory et al 2013; Gorelick and Zheng 2015). This groundwater depletion is noted mostly in developing countries. There is therefore a need for government regulations and policies to safeguard the use of groundwater by communities in Mozambique to avoid overexploitation of the resource. An efficient and integrated approach has to be implemented for sustainable water use and allocation limits (Saleem et al., 2021; Aeschbach-Hertig and Gleeson 2012). Monitoring of groundwater users however can prove to be impractical and expensive, especially in the developing countries. it is however worth trying to implement policies that the water users will be forced to adhere to with penalties coming into effect where there is failure to adhere to the regulations (Castilla-Rho et al., 2019). Artificial groundwater recharging can be implemented to increase aquifer recharge. Urban developers and planners together with the policy makers can also promote Artificial recharge at a smaller scales, such as in households to re-infiltrate collected rainwater (Jakeman et al., 2016).
The findings from the assessment of water management in Chimoio reveal a complex scenario characterized by both challenges and opportunities. The city heavily relies on the Chicamba dam as a primary water source, supplying water not only to Chimoio but also to neighbouring areas. However, despite efforts to treat and distribute water through a rapid sand filtration system, challenges such as interruptions in water supply, water stress, and dissatisfaction with water quality persist. Interruptions in water supply, lasting more than 24 hours, indicate infrastructural challenges or a demand-supply gap. A considerable portion of the population experiences extreme effects due to water unavailability, highlighting the urgent need for interventions to ensure reliable access to water. These interventions could include alternative sources of water for example, collected storm water and recycled waters. Chimoio’s water supply heavily relies on precipitation thus making it vulnerable to climate variability and changes which makes it important for the city to collect, treat, and recycle wastewater which can be used as an alternative source as many places around the world are treating wastewater for potable use. Stormwater harvesting is however not popular in Chimoio and the municipality mentioned that stormwater harvesting is still a project under study and yet to be implemented. The treated stormwater can also be used to artificially recharge aquifers. The results also show that there is very little wastewater collection and treatment in Chimoio. The issue of wastewater collection and treatment is still difficult since a large part of the population use non-flushing toilets and those with flushing toilets are not connected to the city’s sewage collection system but they use personal septic tanks that are emptied when they reach their maximum capacity. Development of a sewage collection system that covers a greater part of the city would go a long way in helping the city improve sanitation and manage wastewater collection and treatment. There is a need for the upgrade of the existing wastewater treatment plant which is said to be not fully functioning.
Assessing Chimoio's water supply against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ladder reveals limitations in achieving the "Safely Managed" level, primarily due to irregular water supply and potential quality concerns. Collaboration between AdRC, the municipality, and the local government in addressing water supply issues is evident, but challenges such as demand exceeding supply, infrastructure issues, and inadequate mapping of water problem areas persist.
Further, the economic value of water in Chimoio is hindered by challenges such as pipe breakages, vandalization, water theft, and lack of resources for infrastructure maintenance. Non-revenue water (NRW) is relatively high, which implies inefficiencies in the water distribution system and financial losses for the city.
Regarding water quality, while efforts are made to adhere to regulated standards through treatment processes, consumer perceptions reveal dissatisfaction, particularly concerning taste, odour, and turbidity. The risk of contamination during distribution underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and maintenance of the water distribution network.
Efforts towards integrated water resource management (IWRM) in Chimoio are fragmented, with minimal focus on sustainability and stakeholder involvement. The city however has potential of implementing an IWRM looking at the fact that the legal framework for IWRM exists at the national level. It is however its implementation at the local level that remains inadequate. Wastewater treatment and recycling, rainwater harvesting, and leakage control are underdeveloped, further exacerbating water scarcity and quality issues. Moreover, limited stakeholder engagement, particularly with the community and women, hinders effective governance and decision-making in water management. Stakeholder engagement enhances the understanding of resource demands, integrates, and publishes scientific information used by managers. It also promotes mutual understanding and learning between users, managers, and policy makers in different areas like that of agriculture, water supply, energy, etc (Jakeman et al., 2016).
This study however failed to get adequate information concerning the state of the wastewater treatment plant and the amount of wastewater that is treated in the plant, if any. There is therefore a need for a future study focusing on sanitation and wastewater collection and treatment. Also, further research is needed to determine water management within the Chicamba Dam where water is used for various economic purposes that include hydro electricity production (Tsoca 2023), fishing, agriculture, and potable water supply.
Indeed Chimoio has a potential to adopt an IWRM system as the ground for its implementation has been set nationally by the implementation of policies. There is understanding of some of the components of IWRM, for example the participation of women and stakeholders in water management. There is noticeable participation of stakeholders, and the population is knowledgeable of importance of water conservation. There are however many challenges in the implementation of IWRM in Chimoio as mentioned above due to limited participation of communities, limited stormwater harvesting and wastewater treatment and reuse.
6.2 Limitations
The limitations of this study include the fact that data was collected mostly from the people with access to the internet since the questionnaire was send electronically. This means that the population covered is mostly the educated, employed and those who are financially able to some extent. This somehow excluded the lesser privileged part of the population with no access to the internet or those who are illiterate. This may therefore impact the generalizability of the findings. The study also failed to get the participation of the Non-Governmental Organisation to get the level of their involvement in water management in Chimoio. Further, due to resource constraints and the complexity of the subject matter, this research may not comprehensively address all aspects of water management in Chimoio.
6.3 Recommendations
From the results obtained in this study, the following recommendations are given to Chimoio for the city to achieve some level of Integrated water resource management and thus increase its water availability and supply:
By implementing these recommendations, Chimoio can address its water management challenges, enhance resilience to climate change, and ensure sustainable access to safe and reliable water for its residents. Collaborative efforts, informed decision-making, and proactive measures are vital in achieving long-term water security and supporting the city's socio-economic development aspirations. It can also advance towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals related to water and sanitation.
1. Infrastructure Maintenance and Expansion: Prioritize investment in infrastructure maintenance and expansion to address issues such as pipe breakages, leakages, and water loss. Improvement in repair strategies will minimize non-revenue water and ensure continuous service delivery.
2. Demand Management: Implement measures for demand management, such as water conservation initiatives and public awareness campaigns, to alleviate pressure on the existing water supply infrastructure.
3. Water Quality Monitoring: there is a need for an improved water quality monitoring and surveillance systems to ensure compliance with regulated standards throughout the distribution network. Regular testing for physical, biological, and chemical parameters should be conducted to address consumer concerns and mitigate health risks.
4. Collaborative Governance: Enhance collaboration between AdRC, the municipality, and the local government to develop comprehensive strategies for sustainable water management. This includes budget allocation for infrastructure upgrades, capacity building, and public-private partnerships to improve service delivery.
5. Innovation and Research: Invest in innovative technologies and research to optimize water treatment processes, reduce operational costs, and enhance the resilience of the water supply system to climate change and extreme weather events.
6. Community Engagement: Foster community participation and engagement in water management processes, including the promotion of rainwater harvesting, efficient water use practices, and the reporting of infrastructure issues.
7. Financial Sustainability: Explore alternative financing mechanisms, such as tariff adjustments or public-private partnerships, to ensure financial sustainability for infrastructure maintenance and service expansion.
8. Strengthen IWRM Implementation: Chimoio should prioritize the adoption of integrated water resource management practices, aligning with national policies. This includes establishing mechanisms for sustainable water use, monitoring, and stakeholder engagement. The city should develop a comprehensive IWRM plan tailored to its unique challenges and opportunities.
9. Invest in Infrastructure and Technology: Adequate investment in water infrastructure, including wastewater treatment plants, rainwater harvesting systems, and leakage detection technologies, is essential. Upgrading existing facilities and adopting innovative water treatment methods can enhance water quality and conservation efforts.
10. Enhance Stakeholder Participation: Promote an inclusive decision-making processes by engaging diverse stakeholders, including the community, women, NGOs, and private sector entities for transparency, accountability.
11. Promote Gender Equity: Empower women to actively participate in water governance and management roles. Encourage their involvement in decision-making processes, capacity building initiatives, and community-led water projects. Recognize and address gender disparities in access to and control over water resources.
12. Monitor and Evaluate Progress: Establish robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track the implementation of water management initiatives especial for groundwater, assess impact, and identify areas for improvement. Regularly review policies, practices, and resource allocation to ensure alignment with sustainability goals and evolving water challenges.