Integrated Water Resources Management in the Namibian Cuvelai-Delta CuveWaters

Transcription

1 Integrated Water Resources Management in the Namibian Cuvelai-Delta CuveWaters For those countries and regions already affected by large variations of water availability drought and floods, the issue of climate change represent challenges that call for adapted solutions. The Cuvelai- Etosha Basin is situated in densely populated northern central Namibia and is characterised by highly variable water resources: the hallmarks of this area are marked drought/aridity from May to October switching to floods during the second half of the rainy season from January to April. In many cases, the groundwater horizons tapped thus far are too saline for use as drinking water. Drinking water is supplied largely via a pipeline that draws water from the Kunene River (forming the natural border between Namibia and Angola) and transports it into the region. This supply network, however, means strong dependency on the neighbouring basin in Angola and the political and economic developments prevailing there. For example, dry weather run-off in the face of increased energy production from hydraulic power stations (hydro power) and the setting up or extension of irrigation farming could easily lead to bottlenecks in supply. In addition, not all settlements in the region are supplied with this water and there are areas where the population has to drink saline water declared by WHO and the Namibian Water Act to be fit only for watering livestock. Alongside these factors, a high rate of population growth, dense settlement and enduring urbanisation are resulting in a deterioration of the basic conditions under which to try and guarantee a sustainable Cuvelai-Etosha Basin in central northern Namibia system of water supply and sanitation. Innovative and Adapted Solutions to the Problem Canal with water from the Kunene In order to improve the living conditions for the population in the Cuvelai-Etosha Basin via innovative and adapted water technologies, the research project CuveWaters funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research BMBF is working on the development and implementation of a concept for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). This management concept is intended to bring about a better balance between water as a resource and e.g. the sustainable generation of energy. The idea is to optimise the use of water and provide a vital impetus to reduce poverty and stimulate regional development. The project focuses particularly on more intensive use of local water resources while increasing water productivity (water re-use and waste water recycling to generate energy, nutrients and purified irrigation water). In cooperation with

2 The aim is to use water of differing quality and origin for different purposes via a multi-resource mix (e.g. use of rainwater, decentralised solar desalination of brackish groundwater, underground water storage) and hence defuse competition amongst users of Kunene water and optimise water distribution. Transdisciplinary Research Approach: Dovetailing of Social Empiricism, Technology and Societal Problem-Solving Approaches Together with the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN) and in close collaboration with the Namibian Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF), the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), socialecological, technical and landscape surveys are carried out. This constitutes the basis for adapted problem-solving. The project works with a transdisciplinary research approach based on the integration of science, technology and society. The results are not only scientifically relevant but contribute directly to the solving of practical problems. This approach is reflected in the project structure: the scientific building blocks Concept research, Empirical work and Technology are closely interlocked with the integrative building blocks Participation, Good governance & institutionalisation along with Capacity building. Its success is essentially determined by the transdisciplinary integration processes that allow combined use of water and other resources. Furthermore, these processes promote the social embedding of technology, the Workshop in Epyeshona active involvement of institutional players and the local population, and the linking of knowledge from the social/ natural sciences and engineering with the everyday practical know-how of the players involved. The management and transfer of knowledge support implementation of the project and are important factors in guaranteeing its sustainability. Initial Results: Selected Technical Options for the Pilot Phase So far, three options for suitable innovative technology have been selected for pilot launching in Phase 2. In the course of the project they have been (and are being) adapted to the regional social, economic and ecological framework. In the rural settlement of Epyeshona there are plans to collect rainwater on roofs and in special catchment areas. The local population can then use the additional water as a substitute for the expensive piped water. A further aim is to support irrigation of small gardens and thus combat poverty by promoting selfsufficiency via the cultivation and marketing of fruit and vegetables. With a view to rural areas not connected to the pipeline, the plan is to introduce solar groundwater desalination to two villages in order to improve the living conditions for the population still without access to water of drinking quality. Model of rainwater harvesting on roofs 2

3 With a view to urban areas, a flood resistant modern washing house is planned for an informal settlement in which hardly any sanitary installations have existed to date. Here the waste water is used as a resource by producing biogas in an anaerobic purification system and simultaneously using the effluent, purified waste water for irrigation and as a source of soil nutrients (N+P). Within this informal settlement, the sale of biogas and gardening products will help improve hygiene standards and the population s standard of health as well as reducing soil and water pollution. Another highly promising line of technology is underground water storage (managed aquifer recharge), in which surface water is transferred to an artificial storage aquifer during the rainy season via special infiltration wells. This way, the wealth of water available during the rainy season is protected from evaporation and pollution and can thus be used during the dry season. However, it is necessary to collected further data in this field, particularly on hydro-geological conditions, as there has been hardly any basic research done in the study area so far. Model of a community washing house Model of rainwater harvesting on ground catchment With regard to technology lines such as desalination, rainwater collection and re-use of water, CuveWaters is engaged in a lively exchange with German high-tech industrial partners. In Phase 2 of the project, these German industrial partners will equip the individual pilot plants and make necessary adjustments to be ready for the opening up of the mass market during Phase 3. Project Successes The project has been up and running for 24 months and already all relevant players have been successfully contacted and have proved to be open-minded, discerning and committed during their participation in the workshops. It has thus been possible to agree on the choice of technologies and the participative arrangements for the technical options. The rural locations and informal settlements in Outapi have almost been finalised including relevant agreements. Informal settlement 3

4 Details of Project Structure Concept research works out the conceptual and scientific fundamentals for resource management. Empirical work entails the evaluation of secondary material and the conducting of local surveys to identify problem contexts and potential technical locations. The Technology building block aims to open up alternative water resources and strengthen earmarked use of different types and qualities of water. The project module Good governance & institutionalisation deals with the institutional consolidation of the adapted IWRM process by developing sustainable legal and institutional structures. Furthermore, Participation ensures that Workshop in Onhimbu (Outapi) various groups of players (users, practitioners, administration, political bodies, etc.) are included in the process at local, regional and national level. Capacity building in the course of CuveWaters develops measures to transfer knowledge at all levels. Workshops represent an integral part of the transdisciplinary research approach. Those that have already taken place or are being planned in Namibia are: Kick-off Workshop 02/2007 Participant Workshop in Evululuku and Epyeshona 05/2007 Participant Workshop in Evululuku and Epyeshona 08/2007 Stakeholder Workshop to select and implement technologies 10/2007 Participant Workshop in rural sites 07/2008 Participant Workshop in Outapi 08/2008 Phase 1, outlined here (2,5 years: ), is followed by Phase 2 the pilot phase (3 years). In this phase the jointly adapted technologies in the form of pilot installations are put into operation at the selected locations. At the same time, further adjustments are made to the technology line via continuous integration by means of Participation, Good governance & institutionalisation along with Capacity building. In Phase 3 (3 years), the spotlight is on the radical implementation of the tried and proven technical systems while strengthening corresponding fiscal structures and building up expertise in order to enable a sustainable development in the model region. 4

5 The joint project is carried out on the German side by: Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE), Frankfurt am Main Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (IGB) Technische Universität Darmstadt, Institute of Water Supply and Groundwater Protection (WAR) In Namibia, CuveWaters collaborates closely with: Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF). Contact: Abraham Nehemia Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN). Contact: Mary Seely German Association for Technical Cooperation (GTZ). Contact: Christian Graefen Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR). Contact: Harald Zauter Relevant Links Contact PD Dr. Thomas Kluge (Project Director) Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE) Hamburger Allee Frankfurt Tel updatet: November