ABSTRACT
This chapter considers synthesise existing knowledge on urbanisation, water quality and water reuse in the Zambezi River Basin in order to offer recommendations on how basin-wide management by the Zambezi Watercourse Commission may foster improvements in these areas. It reviews urbanisation in the Zambezi, its water quality and health impacts, as well as the formal and informal use of urban wastewater for productive activities. The amount of solid waste generated in the Zambezi Basin’s towns and cities also far exceeds their capacity for collection, treatment and disposal. Compounding matters, when waste is collected by the municipal authorities, disposal is generally inadequate as they are financially overstretched due to low levy collection rates. Industrial waste is a major source of pollution of both surface water and groundwater. Industries in most urban areas dump hazardous waste directly into streams, negatively affecting water quality.
