This Research assesses the water supply systems for Lomahasha
Inkhundla, located in the north eastern corner of Swaziland. The most
favourable option was determined and its supply level was analysed
considering other water demands in the same river basin.
The project area is characterised by a history of repetitive drought
occurrences and severe food shortages. The area includes Lomahasha
‘Town’ which is adjacent to the Mozambican city of Namaacha.
For domestic water uses, the people in both Lomahasha and Namaacha
generally rely on raw water from rivers and small dams, and during dry
months, they travel long distances to reach the few perennial sources
available.
Swaziland Water Services Corporation (SWSC) attempted to develop a
system to supply water to Lomahasha ‘Town’ by connecting to the existing
system in Simunye, 30km away. This proposal did not cater for the
settlements along the 30 km pipeline route and other water deprived
localities in the area. This research project was initiated to evaluate the
SWSC proposal in comparison with other possible scenarios, and to find
the most suitable option to supply water to the whole Lomahasha
Inkhundla, including rural areas.
The study was carried out by undertaking site investigations, discussions
and interviews with stakeholders, monitoring of water flows and analysis of
available documentation and relevant reports.
The study concluded that the most economically and environmentally
favourable option for the supply of water to Lomahasha Inkhundla was the
option of connecting to the system in place at SimunyeThis source was found to be adequate for the supply of water to
Lomahasha Inkhundla, after its evaluation in conjunction with various
scenarios of competing water uses in the same river basin.