- Director attributes decision to exhaustion of ground water
- Septic tanks also cited major polluters
Mbabane – The government, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, is working on putting a stop on installation of boreholes for domestic use.
The decision was revealed by acting Director, Department of Water Affairs Senior Water Engineer Musawenkhosi Mwelase disclosed that government was worried with the rate in which groundwater was getting used up underneath the earth. He said the natural resource was decreasing at a shocking speed and they needed to act swiftly to address the matter.
Among major contributing factors to this challenge, Mwelase cited installation of boreholes for domestic use.
He said boreholes were drawing underground water at a shocking speed and soon the irreplaceable natural resources would be exhausted hence the need to preserve it for future generations. He also cited septic tanks and another major contributor of groundwater pollutant.
This was during a stakeholder engagement session with participants from different sectors including NGOs, other government departments and other interested parties.
It is during the discussion session where Mwelase pointed out that government was planning on banning installation of boreholes for domestic use in order to deal with the challenge.
In the second part of his presentation, Mwelase shifted focus to the importance of groundwater in building climate resilience. With droughts becoming more frequent and severe, groundwater has emerged as a vital backup water source. However, Mwelase warned that without proper management, the country’s shallow wells could become increasingly vulnerable to contamination and depletion.
“We cannot afford to rely solely on shallow wells for our water needs,” Mwelase said. He also urged stakeholders to invest in deeper on more resilient wells that can withstand the impacts of climate change.
Mwelase also called for greater investment in alternative water sources, such as sand dams and rock catchments, to reduce pressure on groundwater supplies.
He praised the role of technology in improving groundwater management, noting that geophysical surveys conducted with helicopters have provided valuable data on groundwater pathways. “Groundwater doesn’t flow in a straight line like rivers; it shifts based on where you extract it,” he explained.
Mwelase emphasized the importance of building capacity within the water sector to ensure that Eswatini can manage its groundwater resources effectively. He noted that the DWA is working closely with the SADC Groundwater Management Institute and other partners to train local engineers and hydrogeologists. However, retaining skilled professionals remains a challenge, as many leave the country for better opportunities abroad.
“We need to invest in people who will stay and help us manage this resource,” Mwelase said, stressing the need for sustainable talent development strategies. He also called for stronger collaboration between government agencies, the private sector, and civil society to create a more coordinated approach to groundwater management.
In addition to capacity building, Mwelase highlighted the importance of raising public awareness about the value of groundwater. “People need to understand that groundwater is not an unlimited resource,” he said. He advocated for public education campaigns to promote water conservation and encourage responsible groundwater use.
He laid out a comprehensive roadmap for guiding Eswatini’s groundwater management efforts in the coming years, emphasizing the importance of regulatory reform, private sector collaboration, data sharing, monitoring networks, and public awareness.
The Senior Engineer stressed that strengthening regulations is essential to ensure that all groundwater activities are properly monitored and reported, with clear oversight mechanisms to prevent over-extraction and environmental degradation.
Involving the private sector was another key point, as Mwelase highlighted the need to encourage companies to actively participate in groundwater management through strategic partnerships and strict compliance with reporting requirements.
To improve decision-making and resource management, Mwelase advocated for the establishment of clear data-sharing protocols among stakeholders, ensuring that information flows seamlessly between government agencies, private firms, and civil society.
He also expressed the importance of expanding Eswatini’s monitoring network by developing a comprehensive system of wells that would track groundwater levels and quality in real time. This, he noted, would provide critical insights for managing the resource sustainably, especially in the face of climate change.
Public awareness campaigns were another vital component of the roadmap, aimed at educating communities about the value of groundwater and promoting sustainable water use practices. Mwelase stressed that raising awareness about the impacts of climate change and the importance of water conservation would strengthen a more responsible approach to groundwater usage.
Meanwhile, the SADC – Groundwater Management Institute National Conference Day 2 wrap up saw delegates visit groundwater project sites. Day 2 of the SADC GMI Conference featured informative presentations from key stakeholders, further highlighting the importance of groundwater management and sustainable utilization.
As the conference drew to a close, delegates prepared to visit a groundwater project site at Don-Don in the Manzini region. The purpose of this visit was to gain firsthand experience of the project’s implementation and assess its performance, enabling the delegates to exchange knowledge and best practices.
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