Maputo water shortage to continue – By Joseph Hanlon

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Maputo water shortage to continue – By Joseph Hanlon

8:25 CAT | 22 Feb 2017

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The water shortage in Maputo, Matola and Boane, which has already led to water being supplied only on alternate days, could continue for the rest of the year. “The year ahead will be very difficult for Maputo, and we will have to use carefully the little water we have,” said Manuel Alvarinho, head of the water regulation council. (O Pais 17 Feb)

The crisis is caused by a lack of rain in the Umbeluzi River basin. Last year there was no rain because of the El Nino drought and water levels behind the Pequenos Libombos dam, which serves the three cities, fell to below 14% of capacity in mid-Janaury. Despite a normal rainy season everywhere else, there has been little rain flowing into the Umbeluzi. Rationing was only introduced on 10 January and the water level had risen to 18% on 21 February – very low for this late in the rainy season when the level should be 80%, and not enough to supply the cities for the coming dry season.

President Filipe Nyusi said last week that the main cause of the water shortage is lack of planning. (O Pais 13, 20 Feb) There have been criticisms of the water authorities for not imposing rationing earlier, and for moving too slowly on the Moamba Major dam, which is to provide a second water supply. @Verdade (16 Feb) says that the dam has been delayed because in 2015 the government failed to release its $200 mn contribution to the project. A 100 km pipe to the Corrumana dam is under construction and could be speeded up to be completed by October. (O Pais 17, 20 Feb)

There is now a panic plan to drill 40 new wells and lay 28 km of pipe, at a cost of $15 mn, but the money for that has not yet been released. (O Pais 21 Feb)

Source: News reports & clippings