Zambezi River Basin

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Access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation by 2015 Zimbabwe’s total annual renewable freshwater resources amount to 20 cubic km per year, and although the country experiences quality and dry season problems at present, continued pressure on the resource will lead to water stress by 2025 (Hirji et al. 2002). Poor infrastructure hampers access to water in most urban areas, and in the capital, Harare, and the second main city, Bulawayo, residents have gone without piped water for as long as two weeks during recent years (UNEP 2008). Figure 4.56 shows access to safe water in rural and urban areas.

Progress in achieving water and sanitation targets is off track (Figure 4.57). Urban water and sanitation systems are in urgent need of renewal, and have faced serious problems that led to localized outbreaks of cholera and typhoid. The country has to raise safe water coverage in rural areas from 61 per cent to 85 per cent and to raise access to improved sanitation from 30.5 per cent to 71 per cent (Government of Zimbabwe 2010). Zimbabwe needs a water and sanitation sector- wide assessment and full asset inventory followed by an investment plan and an updated and comprehensive water, sanitation and hygiene policy that covers water resources in both urban and rural areas (Government of Zimbabwe 2010). Improve the lives of slum dwellersby 2020 Zimbabwe has the lowest proportional slum population among the Zambezi Basin states at just 3.4 per cent, down from 4 per cent in 1990, as shown in Figure 4.58.

Proportion of population with access to safe water in Zimbabwe

Percentage

100

Proportion of urban dwellers living in slum conditions in Zimbabwe

Percentage

3.5 3.6 3.7 4.0 3.9 3.8 4.1

2000

2002

2004

2006

2008

Rural

Urban

Source: SADC and SARDC 2008, Government of Zimbabwe 2010

Figure 4.56

3.4

Reports from urban settlements give a consistent picture of effluent and raw sewage outflows entering rivers and dams, which are the country’s major sources of water supply. Some sewers are blocked, water treatment plants lack chemicals, and many distribution systems need repair.

3.3 3.2

3.1

1990

2001

Source: UNEP 2008

Figure 4.58

The portion of national population living in urban areas was 36.4 per cent in 2006, about four million people, with a projected urban annual growth rate of 2.8 per cent to 2015.

Proprotion of populationwith access to improved sanitation facilities inZimbabwe

120 Percentage