Zambia - Groundwater Resources Management Support Programme (GReSP)

Country / Region: Zambia / Africa
Focal Point: Groundwater

Begin of project: December 23, 2009

End of project: December 31, 2015

Status of project: September 9, 2015

Example for rural water supply in the Southern Province. Source: BGR

Due to population growth, agricultural and industrial development as well as tourism, Zambia faces an increasing demand for water. Therefore, the water sector is a major focus in the German Development Cooperation with Zambia.

As part of the German Water Programme, BGR supports the Zambian Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) in managing the groundwater resources more sustainable with the project “Groundwater Resources Management Support Programme”.

Sustainable use of groundwater is based on profound and reliable knowledge of the quality and quantity of groundwater resources. The Zambian authorities in cooperation with BGR collect and investigate available and new groundwater data. The data is compiled in a groundwater information system from which hydrogeological maps are produced.

Starting in 2005, the first two phases of the project focused on the groundwater resources of Southern Province and the Lusaka region. Hydrogeological maps at scales 1:75,000, 1:100,000 and 1:250,000 were developed that include lithological characteristics and potential of aquifers. At scale 1:75,000 a groundwater vulnerability map was produced for the Lusaka area. The design and legend of the maps follow international guidelines and can be adopted as a national standard for groundwater maps of other regions. The groundwater information system and the thematic maps support efforts on exploring, managing and protecting groundwater resources.

During its third phase the project will broaden its scope from individual provinces to a national scale regarding the application of the groundwater database and capacity building activities. Activities intend to enhance awareness and capacities in the Zambian water sector, mainly in new structures of WARMA and catchment councils, in groundwater resources management and protection as well as data collection and analysis. This will contribute to develop an institutional framework for an efficient and competent groundwater resource planning and management.

BGR will support the Zambian Water Resources Management Authority in developing and implementing groundwater management plans in a pilot catchment to protect the groundwater resources and to secure potential drinking water supplies. This includes advocacy work for groundwater management in planning institutions and awareness raising on the governmental and non-governmental level.

Technical Cooperation with Zambia

Project-No.: 2011.2110.2

Project-ID: 1088

Project contributions:

• Entwicklung eines Grundwasserinformations- und Management-Programms für das Lusaka Grundwassersystem
• Karstification, Tectonics and Land Use in the Lusaka Region
• TC Zambia: Groundwater Information System and Management Programme for Lusaka
• TC Zambia: Groundwater Resources for Southern Province
• TZ Sambia: Entwicklung eines Grundwasser-Informations- und Managementprogramms für Lusaka
• TZ Sambia: Grundwasserressourcen für die Südprovinz

Partner:

Ministry of Energy and Water Development (MEWD) – Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA)