From the concept to the Tap-Integrated water resources management in Northern Namibia

Abstract

Namibia is the most arid country in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Cuvelai-Etosha Basin (CEB) in central northern Namibia in particular is experiencing various ecological and social-ecological challenges such as high climate variability, saline groundwater, dependence on Angola for freshwater supply, high population growth and density, and increasing urbanisation. These challenges make water supply and management difficult and threaten the livelihood of the local population and the health of the ecosystem. Facing up to these challenges, the German-Namibian research project CuveWaters has developed, adapted and set up different technologies as pilot plants. The Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) concept of CuveWaters is based on a multi-resource-mix in which water is obtained from different sources (rainwater, floodwater, groundwater and wastewater) and used for various purposes. High quality water is used as drinking water; water of a relatively low quality is used for irrigation. In cooperation with the residents of four villages and one small town, the project partners are implementing different technologies to collect and store, produce, treat and reuse water. The implemented technologies are rain- and floodwater harvesting, groundwater desalination, and the combination of sanitation, wastewater treatment and water reuse. The aim is to improve peoples' livelihood through research on innovative and adapted solutions which contribute to a successful and adapted application of IWRM. To this end, the project integrates science, technology and societal aspects in a transdisciplinary research approach by linking scientific knowledge from natural, engineering and social sciences with the everyday practices and know-how of the stakeholders involved. Thus, the technical aspects are complemented by a wide range of societal and scientific components, such as capacity development, monitoring, participation or knowledge management. These ensure societal embedding of the technologies and knowledge transfer. This paper will illustrate the transdisciplinary approach, implemented technologies and accompanying measures as well as key results.