Water deficits are projected to get increasingly larger in the future.
According to the Swaziland’s Third National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention, demand increases are projected up to 28 per cent by 2050 overall, leading to increasing deficits, which will be worsened by climate change.
“Recently experienced drought years include 1991/92, 1994/95, 2001/ 02 and 2007, all which have impacted the water sector.
The observed climate variability in Swaziland, as part of the southern Africa region, over the recent past includes up to a 50 per cent decline in rainfall during the months of September and October.
Impacts Results based on previous vulnerability assessments for Swaziland’s major river basins (Komati, Mbuluzi and Usuthu) revealed wide-ranging impacts of climate change on water resources availability, accessibility and demand.
SWSC continues to facilitate water treatment projects IN collaboration with government, the Swaziland Water Services Corporation (SWSC) and other partners continue to facilitate major water treatment projects in the country.
The report stated that rural areas were also targeted for improved water supply, and on-going projects include treatment plants at Lomahasha, Somntongo, Matsanjeni and Sipho-faneni.
Assist To assist in maintaining water sustainability in the country, SWSC aimed at increasing the water storage reservoirs.
In this regard, the ministry of natural resources and energy, through the department of water affairs’ rural water supply branch, initiated a process of mapping all rural water points and sanitation infrastructure in Swaziland in 2013.
NDS calls for new water legislation THE National Development Strategy (NDS) advocates for the development of a new water legislation, policy and regulatory mechanism to facilitate delivery and management of water resources in the country.