Component 3
Water Allocation
Access to water remains a major challenge in Mozambique. Population growth and the expansion of economic and industrial activities mean that water demand is increasing, putting pressure on water sources and the organisations responsible for the sector.
The variability caused by climate change exacerbates these challenges, with erratic rainfall patterns causing droughts in certain regions and complicating efforts to allocate water.
Faced with these scenarios, our partnership has contributed to debates on strategies for equitable and efficient water allocation, the development of water allocation models, and the creation of policies for collection, licensing, billing and reporting of surface and groundwater usage.
What does the Blue Deal do?
1. Licensing of Water Users
The licensing of water users is a key element for equitable distribution and sustainable use of water, particularly in regions where water is scarce. In Mozambique, our partnership started working on this subject with ARA Sul. Gradually, the other ARAs were also introduced to this work.
Licensing allows the ARAs to effectively manage the growing demand for water use. The licensing and billing of water users contribute to the generation of revenue for the ARAs and is a mechanism for achieving the financial sustainability of these organisations. It also ensures compliance and imposes conditions and restrictions on the use of surface and groundwater.
Blue Deal supported the development and usage of a tool (SIRHA) for the licensing and billing of water users by the ARAs in Mozambique.
2. Groundwater Management
Effective groundwater management ensures its long-term availability and prevents over-exploitation and pollution. With this in mind, the Blue Deal in Mozambique has invested in developing models to understand groundwater levels, flow patterns and contaminants.
By working with ARA Sul and DNGRH, we improved the Greater Maputo Aquifer water model, whose available data enabled the calibration of the existing model. In Tete, we worked with ARA Centro to develop strategies to protect the Nhartanda Valley aquifer. In addition, in collaboration with other programmes and organisations such as IWAMAMBA, GLOW and IHE, we're gradually introducing new models to simulate water availability based on existing volumes and current and future demand, in order to develop the best groundwater management strategies.
The interests of our partnership also include the maintenance and operation of the groundwater monitoring network, which includes the installation of piezometers, the development of an M&O manual, training and regular communication about groundwater with stakeholders.
3. Surface Water Management
In the area of surface water management, we have supported training in the use of tools (WEAP) for the comparison of surface water availability with current and future demand. At this stage, we intend to contribute to the development of a surface water (and groundwater) allocation plan. The mapping of the measures to be taken in the short and long term will be tested through pilot projects in certain river basins under the management of the ARAs. Neighbouring partnerships with Eswatini and South Africa play an important role in the development of these activities.
4. Water storage (small dams and reservoirs)
The high evaporation of surface water makes it necessary to develop innovative solutions to store water. ARA Centro has therefore introduced the concept of sand dams, involving local communities and other partner organisations. These infrastructures offer various benefits in terms of quantitative and qualitative water storage, which is why the ARAs are very interested in building them. In this way, our partnership promotes the exchange of knowledge between the ARAs and the DNGRH in building and maintaining these structures and in involving the local communities.
