Sandy Elsworth

The Nymandhlovu Remediation Programme,

ZimbabweSandy Elsworth

Independent ConsultantAJEWater.com

Sandy ElsworthODI Groundwater, poverty and

development 26 November 2014

Focus on groundwater Not on gw levels or CC impact on gw

supplies in this short presentation Focus on boreholes and borehole

management Experience in Ethiopia, Tanzania and

Zimbabwe Each year 10,000 boreholes are drilled in

Zimbabwe – funded through UNICEF predominantly

Achieving water security

Sandy Elsworth

Borehole functionality

50% not working after 15 years

Sandy ElsworthODI Groundwater, poverty and

development 26 November 2014

Probably around 300,000 boreholes in country Of which around 100,000 no longer functional. Unicef has a programme commencing in

December 2014 to address 7,400 problem boreholes

However this is always seen in the context of a pump failure, not a borehole issue.

Tender typically delivered by a drilling company – who simply want to drill new

Lack of expertise and equipment to inspect and address borehole issue.

Zimbabwe Boreholes

Sandy ElsworthODI Groundwater, poverty and

development 26 November 2014

Climate Change and WR Planning Issues paper published September 2014

GW serves 70% of the pop Recognised as critical in CC adaption “Yet its planning, development and

management has received very little attention…”

“…almost no monitoring of groundwater levels…”

Vision, and Climate Change

Sandy ElsworthODI Groundwater, poverty and

development 26 November 2014

Addressing 3 core issues of gw management:

1. Inspect and remediate existing rather than drill

2. Proper testing programme

3. Long term monitoring and management

Nymandhlovu Project

Sandy ElsworthODI Groundwater, poverty and

development 26 November 2014

Brief backgroundBulawayo is Zimbabwe’s 2nd cityPopulation 650,000

Water primarily supplied from 6 seasonal dams

Cholera present in 2008

Average rainfall 590mm

But Effective gw rechargeApprox 3% of rainfall

CC modelling suggests surface runoffCould be reduced to zero under Some scenarios

Sandy ElsworthODI Groundwater, poverty and

development 26 November 2014

Result of 12 month project

Sandy ElsworthODI Groundwater, poverty and

development 26 November 2014

Historic Information search Internal Inspection of boreholes Fishing, air lifting, flushing, re-inspection Step test – at least 4 steps 60 minutes CRT – at least 1 day, up to 3 days 3 primary delivery mains to WTW. Use of hydraulic model (EPANET) Correct pump sizing for current, drought,

operational variability, and CC conditions Training on site and in office

Programme

Sandy Elsworth

Appropriate Technology

Boreholes Inspection Units

Sandy Elsworth

Appropriate Technology

Test PumpingEquipment

Sandy ElsworthODI Groundwater, poverty and

development 26 November 2014

Common Issues in Boreholes

Sandy ElsworthODI Groundwater, poverty and

development 26 November 2014

Boreholes are abundantly distributed When a problem, the immediate response is

typically: Drill another Train borehole operators and managers Regular water level measurements Protect headworks Inspect, clean, fish, remediate existing

before redrill Invest in long term borehole and gw

management – training, equipment, resources

Conclusions