ABSTRACT
In Mozambique, the population is mostly rural and people are highly dependent on rural ecosystems for their livelihoods, so the mismanagement of water resources has huge impacts, not only on rural ecosystems but on the communities that depend on them. Floods and droughts have caused great suffering in Mozambique, so an important priority should be evening out water availability from one season (and year) to the next (see Figures 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3). There are traditions of rainwater harvesting in some areas of Mozambique, but there is currently no overall strategy for improved rainwater harvesting— despite recent studies showing this could meet the country’s basic water needs. Heavy rainfall has washed huge gullies through the Polana Caniço neighbourhood in Maputo. https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780203556047/427fdccb-b99c-4889-8f6b-048f2e5fe6ab/content/fig9_1_C.jpg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/> Photo credit: Patricia E. Perkins. A storm in 2010 washed away several houses in Polana Caniço, just uphill from the Indian Ocean. https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780203556047/427fdccb-b99c-4889-8f6b-048f2e5fe6ab/content/fig9_2_C.jpg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/> Photo credit: Patricia E. Perkins. Stormwater drainage canals are being extended in the low-lying Maxaquene area of Maputo. Piped drinking water provision does not extend to all households; many water pipes leak and/or are tapped by those who need drinking water; sanitation is based on pit latrines; rainstorms cause flooding which can spread disease. https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780203556047/427fdccb-b99c-4889-8f6b-048f2e5fe6ab/content/fig9_3_C.jpg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/> Photo credit: Patricia E. Perkins.
