Lake Chivero (Zimbabwe)

Lake Chivero is the major water source for Harare and adjacent towns which include Chitungwiza, Norton, Epworth and Ruwa. Built in 1952 with a storage capacity of 247,181,000 cubic metres and the water body covering 26.3 km2, it was designed to supply water to only 200 000 residents,  now risen to 2 427 231. The current scenario is underlined by water shortages and pollution driven by poor planning and mismanagement of the catchment area. The current drought is also adding to the water shortage in Harare. The location of the lake Chivero catchment area is complex because it is an integral part of the drainage and sewage systems for both Harare and its dormitory towns. The main sewer treatment plants located drain waste directly into the lake and other small dams. More serious, is local voices, lived experiences and solutions are absent from both the narratives and solutions being proffered by authorities, donors and beneficiaries, the latter being people who benefit from water purification contracts. The water crisis in Harare, has also attracted big private water suppliers who sell water for all purposes, pointing to the monetization or commoditization of water which is a ubiquitous global challenge. Over the next four years, five PhD fellows and their supervisors will focus on the following themes/topics:

• Ethno-scientific-based model for enhancing stewardship over soil and water health
• Innovative approaches for waste to product (energy, organic fertilizer etc.,) development
• Transformative landscape management frameworks
• African environmental management framework for linking livelihoods and habitability
• Disruptive infrastructure planning