Fire and water

Because of the falling water table the borehole in Jeremiah village only works sporadically, meaning Brenda often has to collect her water from dirty sources further afield.

Credit: WaterAid / Jon Spaull

Zambia is a country celebrated for its water. The magnificent Victoria Falls or Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders) is a must see for any tourist.

But in many areas water resources are becoming depleted; and it is smoke of another kind that is affecting this, the country's most precious resource.

Deforestation is taking place at a rapid rate, perpetuated by charcoal burning and chitenmene, cut and burn, farming practices.

The problem is acute in the Southern and Western Provinces where much of the land has been cleared, giving way to a parched landscape where dry spells have increased.

Less vegetation means the rain that does fall simply flows away; rivers are drying up and the water table has dropped. Droughts which used to take place every 20 years are now happening every two or three.

The impacts on community water supplies are vast. Only 55% of the population have access to safe water and those without are now facing longer walks and greater queues simply to find the only water available.

But even in villages where wells have been constructed some are now drying up, exacerbating the problems further still, as Brenda from Jeremiah village explained at an old open well:

"I go to the borehole very early in the morning when water flows but later in the day it doesn't work, so that is why we have to come here. I don't feel anything when I drink the water. I get worried when I have to give it to my children but I have no choice so what should I do?"

To help lessen the problems that communities like Jeremiah face WaterAid is involved in a variety of schemes. The first is mapping water resources to see which are still working and which need rehabilitating. While some wells can simply be dug deeper, in other areas and in new projects different technology types are being explored to ensure the longevity of the water supply. So far deeper boreholes and rainwater harvesting schemes have been trialled successfully.

Agnes is among the villagers rehabilitating one of the wells in Choobana village. "When we finish rehabilitating the well I hope that we always have a lot of clean water," she explains.

Credit: WaterAid / Jon Spaull

Yet education is also key - speaking to community leaders about the effects of deforestation and encouraging replanting are both also vital.

In the Southern and Western Provinces this means looking at ways to turn around the situation rather than just reacting to the problems already in place. But in the Northern Province where the woodland is still intact and water supply remains plentiful there is a different challenge. Here WaterAid has opened discussions with the regional government in the aim of raising awareness of the problems deforestation causes before it happens.

As Reuben, WaterAid's Programme Manager says: "As the population increases, the stress on the water table is increasing, so the problem must be tackled now before it is too late."