result in people not conserving it. However these services were not provided for free.
2.6 Water problemsscarcity in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe, like Botswana, Namibia and South Africa are reaching the point where water scarcity could represent a serious hindering factor to their
future economic growth Turton et al. 2006. At the moment, many international river basins in the Southern African region including Zimbabwe are facing point
of closure meaning that their water resources have been fully exploited and no surplus water can be utilized in other economic activities. Models generally
show a drying trend for much of the 21st century in the area. Delayed seasonal rainfall onset is predicted in the northern parts of southern Africa Zimbabwe
Shongwe et al. 2000. Recent hydrological data shows rainfall amounts have been almost constant in the past decades with seasonal droughts.
Water scarcity and its uneven distribution throughout the region is a function of physically available supplies that is, geographic and climatic factors.
It is also a function of factors such as the quality of water, efficiency of various uses, and the institutional capacity to meet rising demands USGS, 2008; Swatuk
and Furlong, 2005. Water scarcity in Zimbabwe is related to the legacies of colonial rule. The
situation is complicated a nd conflictual due to the fact that water has a “long
history of politicization Turton, 1999; Swatuk, 2005. Colonial policies forced large sectors of indigenous population to move onto marginal lands that are
distant from water sources, introduced water intensive agricultural practices better suited to Europe rather than Southern Africa. They established a segregated
domestic water supply network that subsidized white households at the expense of the excluded indigenous population.
Despite post-independence egalitarian rhetoric, in countries such as Zambia and Zimbabwe inappropriate models piped house connections in the
urban areas, high technology irrigation schemes in the agricultural sector, combined with weak macro-economies and poorly formulated sectoral policies
have actually exacerbated the disparities in access to water. Zimbabwe
exemplifies the current set of disconnects between land and water reform even though at the local level land and water are integrated Hodgson, 2004; Derman
et al. 2005. Preserving urban Africa‟s scarce water supplies requires recognition of
urban –rural water cycle linkages and holistic, coordinated, and equitable regional
policies and practices that support ecosystem function Showers, 2002. According to Nhapi, 2009 Harare cannot overcome its water-related problems
under the current set-up. He recommends that a corporatised body, free from political influence and with a higher degree of autonomy, be established to run
the water services for Harare and the neighbouring towns. There is existence of a right to water and livelihood, which can be
responsive to gender and poverty in local norms and practices in Zimbabwe Derman and Hellum, 2006. These local norms and practices can be
incorporated within water management laws and policies at regional, national and local levels.
Water scarcity results in an increase in the incidence of water-related diseases and environmental contamination. Evidence suggests that water scarcity
in Bulawayo represents a huge cost to residents and the environment Manzungu et al. 2010.
2.7 Water management is the Southern African Development Committee SADC
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