Zambia - Atlas of our Changing Environment

Water Resources

Water sustains life and plays an important role in Zambia’s socio-economic development. Many economic activities including agriculture, mining and tourism are dependent on the availability of water. Out of country’s total area of 752,614 sq kilometres, water covers an estimated area of 11,890 sq. kilometres (Environmental Council of Zambia, 2008). This constitutes rivers and lakes such as Mweru, Bangweulu, Kariba and Itezhi-tezhi as shown in Figure 2.12. The country’s major river catchments include Chambeshi, Kafue, Luangwa,

Luapula, Tanganyika and Zambezi (ECZ, 2008 ) as shown in Table 2.2.

The country’s expanding urban population, industrial and agricultural growth, and the changing climate have all affected water availability to Zambia’s overall population. In 2011, the total domestic water supply coverage in urban areas was 77.5 per cent. Lusaka city had the highest percentage of residents (82 per cent) with access to water services. That same year, only 15 per cent of the residents of Luapula had access to water services (NWASCO, 2012).

Table 2.2: Zambia’s Major River Catchments

River Catchment

Total Catchment Area (km2) (AreaOutsideZambia)

%Contribution to SurfaceWater Potential

Annual Run-off (km3)

LakeTanganyika

15 856 (233 244)

1.73

1.99

Kafue River

156 995

8.4

9.88

Chambeshi River

44 427

7.62

8.75

Luangwa River

144 358 (3 264)

19.44

22.32

Luapula River

173 396

26.25

30.14

Zambezi River

268 235 (418 814) 803 267 (422 078)

36.36

41.75

Total

99.8

114.83

Ministry of Energy and Water Development, 2010

Kafue River McMorrow, B.J., 2010

Luapula River McMorrow, B.J., 2010

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ZAMBIA - ATLAS OF OUR CHANGING ENVIRONMENT