Clean Water Initiatives Yield Economic Dividends in Western Zambia
A strategic pivot toward resilient water infrastructure is transforming the economic landscape of Zambia’s Western Province, as localised clean water projects begin to unlock stalled productivity in the Barotseland floodplains.
For small-scale entrepreneurs and the family farming sector, the transition from seasonal reliance on contaminated shallow wells to year-round access via deep-well technology is proving to be a catalyst for both public health stability and commercial growth.
The human cost of infrastructure deficits was underscored by the 2023–2024 cholera outbreak, which resulted in over 23,000 cases nationwide and severely disrupted labour availability in drought affected regions. For traders like Sibeso Mulonda, a fish merchant at Mulamba Harbour, the personal toll of waterborne illness often contracted from contaminated sources represents a direct threat to the regional supply chain.
“My predicament indicates how inadequate access to clean water poses serious health risks; hence, the vital role of improved sanitation and water management in safeguarding community health,” Mulonda observed, highlighting the link between worker well-being and economic participation.
To address these systemic vulnerabilities, the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, supported by the International Presentation Association, have implemented the Clean Water Initiative.
The program has deployed 12 deep wells and specialised boreholes, each equipped with windlass systems and submersible pumps. Unlike traditional water holes that fail during the dry season, these assets provide a permanent supply that allows for the diversification of local output.
The economic ripple effects are most visible in the horticulture sector, where the mitigation of water risk has enabled a shift to high-value crops. Producers in the Mwanambinyi area are now consistently supplying tomatoes, cabbage, and traditional greens to markets such as Mongu’s Cheshire Home and local guesthouses. This “year-round green productivity” has effectively de-risked small businesses that were previously at the mercy of the arid climate.
“It’s amazing the difference it has made to people’s productivity and initiative,” said Sr. Cathy Crawford, a coordinator for the initiative.
“The water proved to be a real godsend because it provided a constant source. Even in seasons of very little and no rain, there was water. People were able to water small gardens, provide water for animals, and most importantly, had clean drinking water throughout.”
Beyond immediate output, the infrastructure is yielding significant long-term social returns by reducing the opportunity cost of water collection. By eliminating the hours-long “water search” typically performed by women and children, the initiative is reclaiming productive time for the workforce and ensuring higher school attendance rates.
As Mongu continues to develop, the integration of community-led maintenance committees suggests a sustainable model for rural water management that could serve as a blueprint for the broader Zambezi basin.
