Small water reservoirs in local communities need proper functioning - in a sustainable way. This can be achieved with the active involvement of the local community.
Successful intervention by ARA Zambeze not only depends on the technical inputs and outputs but probably much more on its ability to connect with local people. They can provide support to the ARA with knowledge of types of water uses, site selection and hydrological and geological information. Or as Tiago Vilanculo from CCM – who successfully built 60 sand dams - stated: "Without the involvement of local people, we would not have been successful.”
Water reservoirs and dams
ARA Zambeze focuses on the construction of open-water reservoirs. In the same region, the non-governmental organisation Christian Council Mozambique (CCM) is active in constructing sand dams. Here part of the river discharge during the rainy season is stored in the sediments which are deposited upstream of the dam. The realization of new infrastructure is delayed due to time-consuming and bureaucratic contracting procedures, which may take up to 6 months while the suitable construction period is from August to November.
Represas
Carlos Fenhane is a specialist in represas (small water reservoirs constructed by a dam in the river) and within ARA Zambeze, he is the one and only expert in this field. Represas provide capacity for water storage in dry periods. In November 2019, Carlos and Martin Bos of DWA visited a selected number of represas in the region near Tete.
Guideline
Carlos expressed his need for more exchange of knowledge and experiences in other countries; in particular on the sustainability of dam construction. As Carlos stated: “I will perform better when I can use experiences and knowledge from colleagues elsewhere.” Now Carlos and Martin have drawn up a guideline and a manual for the design and construction of small dams.
During the joint field work it became obvious that the involvement of local communities in site selection, operation, and maintenance is a key factor for the sustainability of small water reservoirs.
