Contribution to international development report: 2017-2018

Chapter Eight - Climate Justice Fund - Water Futures

8.1. Introduction

There is also a third stream to the CJF, which is the Water Futures Programme in Malawi. This in managed by the Water Industry Team, through the Scottish Hydro Nation Budget. In Malawi, around 1.7 million people do not have access to safe water, 10 million people do not have access to adequate sanitation and over 300,000 children under the age of five die each year from diarrhoeal diseases caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation.

8.2 Climate Justice Fund: Water Futures Programme

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Infographic text:

1 No Poverty
3 Good Health and Well-being
4 Quality Education
5 Gender Equality
6 Clean Water and Sanitation
9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10 Reduced Inequalities

8.2.1. Background

The Scottish Government is collaborating with the Government of Malawi, academic institutions, and Non-Governmental Organisations in the development of a programme of integrated water resource management in southern Malawi. Together, the aim is to make Sustainable Development Goal Six, clean water and sanitation, a reality in Malawi by enabling national water access and adequate waste management. In line with the Scottish Government's 'do no harm' commitment, the programme was fully evaluated by independent academics and no harmful aspects identified.

The Scottish Government is also working with major UK retailers to ensure water sustainability for Malawian communities and their key export products, such as tea and coffee.

8.2.2. The Project

The Water Futures Program aims to:

• map and condition survey all the water and sanitation points across the whole of Malawi;
• support the Government of Malawi in building capacity in the environmental and economic regulation for the water industry;
• build capacity across all levels of Government in Malawi, leading to good policy making and enhanced investment targeting and specification; and
• introduce water pump technology enhancement trials in Malawi that will increase the efficiency of pumps.

8.2.3. Contribution to Development 2017-18

The project has mapped and condition surveyed approximately 30% of all of Malawi's water and sanitation assets. Once the research is complete, the Malawian Government will be able to accurately prioritise their investment in sanitation and water infrastructure.

In collaboration with the University of Strathclyde, the project is piloting adaptations to twenty existing pumps so that they can achieve a sufficient head of water. This allows the distribution of water to schools, health centres, piped water into homes, and for irrigation.

By 2030 the project will have forensically inspected all Malawi's boreholes to identify candidates for refurbishment, re-drilling or closure.

The project has provided training and knowledge exchange in Malawi and in Scotland on borehole chemistry, governance and water resource management at all levels of the Malawian Government.