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A Russel C.G. Chidya ( MSc ) Prof Wapulumuka O. Mulwafu Ass Prof Samson S.M.I Sajidu

Examining the potential of using spring waters for domestic and irrigation farming activities: Case study of Liwonde, Malawi. AMCOW. A Russel C.G. Chidya ( MSc ) Prof Wapulumuka O. Mulwafu Ass Prof Samson S.M.I Sajidu A Corresponding author: E-mail: russelchidya@gmail.com

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A Russel C.G. Chidya ( MSc ) Prof Wapulumuka O. Mulwafu Ass Prof Samson S.M.I Sajidu

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  1. Examining the potential of using spring waters for domestic and irrigation farming activities: Case study of Liwonde, Malawi. AMCOW A Russel C.G. Chidya (MSc) Prof Wapulumuka O. Mulwafu Ass Prof Samson S.M.I Sajidu ACorresponding author: E-mail: russelchidya@gmail.com University of Malawi – Chancellor College Date: 31st Oct – 2nd Nov 2012 13th WaterNet/WARSFSA/GWP-SA International Symposium on IWRM NEPAD SANWATCE www.nepadwatercoe.org

  2. Presentation Outline • Introduction & Literature Review • Aim and Objectives • Methods and Materials • Results & Discussion • Conclusion & Recommendations • Acknowledgements NEPAD SANWATCE www.nepadwatercoe.org

  3. 1. Introduction & Literature review • Water is a finite natural resource essential for the well being of mankind (GWP, 2010). • Important water sources: • surface water i.e. springs, streams and rivers ponds, lakes &seas. • ground water i.e.: located in aquifers – related to wells, boreholes &springs • In Malawi, existence of rivers, springs, L. Malawi, L. Chilwa and other smaller lakes provide fresh water resources. • However, climate variability, poor agricultural practices, poor waste disposal, poor water use and poor management of catchment areas etc pose daunting challenges which could result in quality & access to water resources being strained in the near future (Kass et al, 2005; GWP, 2010). NEPAD SANWATCE www.nepadwatercoe.org

  4. Intr‘d cont.../... • Springs are an important source of water for various purposes i.e. domestic, irrigation, & fishing (Spechler &Schiffer, 1995; WHO, 2008). • Previous studies by UNEP & GPF showed that Liwonde is one the areas in Malawi that have both hot and cold spring water sources. • However, there is no established data on the exact location & capacity of these springs. No attempt has been made to assess the socio-economic use, management & governance systems of these springs. • Further, no data is available on the physico-chemical characteristics of the spring waters and their implications for domestic and irrigation use. NEPAD SANWATCE www.nepadwatercoe.org

  5. 2. Aim & specific objectives • Main Aim: • To examine the potential of using cold and hot spring waters for domestic and irrigation farming activities in Liwonde, Malawi. • Specific Objectives • To assess the socio-economic use and governance systems of spring water resources. • To study the physico-chemical characteristics of spring water resources and their implications for domestic and irrigation use. • To examine the water discharge and capacity of springs to support large-scale domestic and irrigational farming activities. NEPAD SANWATCE www.nepadwatercoe.org

  6. 3. Methods & Materials • 3.1 Description of the study area – Liwonde • Situated in Southern Malawi & lies at 470 – 531 m above sea level. • experiences tropical climate, &receives a relatively low rainfall. • Is one of the hottest areas (mean max T of 39 °C). • Lies in Shire R plain & is partly surrounded by Mts. To Lilongwe SW1 Mts Liwonde Township SW3 SW10 SW11 SW4 SW2 SW12 N SW6 SW5 SW7 SW8 SHIRE RIVER SW9 From Blantyre Fig 1A: Map of Africa & Malawi showing location of Study Area Fig 1B: Location of sampling sites

  7. 3.2 Water sample collection • 13 Hot & cold springs were identified, most connected to boreholes. • Water samples collected in triplicate using 0.5 L cleaned plastic bottles;transported &preserved in accordance with std methods (APHA, 1998; WII, 2008). Spring water flow thru borehole Borehole Aquifer system Fig 3: A hot spring in Liwonde Fig 2: Schematic diagram of a borehole connected to a spring NEPAD SANWATCE www.nepadwatercoe.org

  8. 3.3 Physico-chemical & discharge analyses Table 1: Water Quality parameters & analytical methods used NEPAD SANWATCE www.nepadwatercoe.org

  9. 3.4 Irrigational water quality indices • The following equations were used to determine: SAR, %Na, MHR, & RSC(Bauder et al., 2008): - - - - - - - - - - [1] - - - - - - - - - - [2] - - - - - - - - - - [3] - - - - - - - - - - [4] NEPAD SANWATCE www.nepadwatercoe.org

  10. 3.5 Socio-economic data collection • The socio-economic activities making use of springs in the study area investigated thru: • Field visits, • Observations, • key informant interviews • literature review • 3.6 Statistical Analysis • Social-economic data evaluated by repeated reading &content analysis. • Water quality &discharge data analysed by Microsoft Excel (Windows 2007) to compute means, standard deviations & Pearson Correlation C (2-tailed at 95%) NEPAD SANWATCE www.nepadwatercoe.org

  11. 4. Results & Discussion 4.1 The socio-economic activities and spring water management • 12 cold & hot springs identified& most (75%, n=12) wereassociated with boreholes. B A C Fig 4 (A, B, C): Pictures showing spring flow through boreholes in Liwonde. (Photos: Russel Chidya) NEPAD SANWATCE www.nepadwatercoe.org

  12. Results & Discussion cont‘d • Preliminary results revealed that spring waters in the area are used for: • domestic purposes. i.e. washing, bathing, cooking & drinking. • small-scale subsistence &commercial farming (vegetables, rice, sugarcane, & maize). • moulding of bricks, • fish ponds Fig 5: Pictures showing multiple uses of spring waters. (Photos: Russel Chidya)

  13. Fig 6: Photos showing multiple use of springs waters. (photos: R Chidya) • Watering of nursery & tree seedlings • Growing of vegetables NEPAD SANWATCE

  14. Results & Discussion cont‘d • Major problems observed • ANY POSSIBLE INTERVENTION? • Integrated approach in spring water usage and management, hence IWRM i.e. to address: • Hygiene & Sanitation • Water quality & quantity • Access to water Poor management Congestion (>300 households) Poor Sanitation (photo by Russel Chidya) Lack of maintenance NEPAD SANWATCE www.nepadwatercoe.org

  15. 4.2 Physico-chemical characteristics WHO limit (6.5 – 8.5) • Spring waters slightly basic; • pH range 7.7 – 9.1 • Most sites (67%, n=12) registered pH > upper WHO (2008) limit, hence deemed not suitable for consumption • Both EC &TDS were within MBS (2005) limit (EC 700 – 1500 (µS/cm). • However, springs near Shire R showed slightly higher EC & TDS, hence depict high ionisation and dissolution of minerals. NEPAD SANWATCE www.nepadwatercoe.org

  16. 4.2 Physico-chemical characteristics ... cont’d Table 2: Results on physico-chemical characteristics of the spring water T: water temperature. Nd: not determined. bdl: below detection level. MBS: Malawi Bureau of standards. WHO: World Health Organisation. NA: not available. Nh: not of health concern at levels found in drinking water. *taste threshold value NEPAD SANWATCE www.nepadwatercoe.org

  17. Results & Discussion – cont‘d • Based on WHO (2008) hardness classification, all samples registered ‘soft class’ (0-70 mg/L CaCO3). • SO42-, Cl-, Mg, Ca, Na, Cu, & Mn were below WHO (2008) limits at all sites, hence water generally safe for domestic use. However, due to presence of Cd & relatively high levels of Na at some sites, further water quality studies needed to justify this claim. • Suitability of water for irrigation: • Based on SAR, 4 sites fell under excellent ‘S1class’ (0-10); 2 sites registered ‘good’ (SAR 10-18), 1 site doubtful (SAR 18-26) and 5 sites ‘unsuitable classes’ (SAR>26). • But, based on RSC & %Na by Bauder et al., (2008) all sites were unsuitable for irrigation due to elevated CO32-, HCO3-and Na+ ions that tend to affect irrigable soil properties. NEPAD SANWATCE www.nepadwatercoe.org

  18. 5. Conclusion This study has shown that the springs have both socio-economic value and capacity to support large-scale farming & domestic use. However, major challenges faced include poor sanitation, governance & management systems. Further, water quality analyses indicated that some springs are of poor quality. RECOMMENDATIONS & FURTHER STUDIES Integrated approaches (i.e. IWRM) are needed for sustainable use, governance &proper management of the springs. Further studies are needed on hydrology and aquifer systems of the area, microbiological tests & human health; & soil analysis for sustainable farming. NEPAD SANWATCE www.nepadwatercoe.org

  19. 6. Acknowledgements Authors would like to express their sincerely gratitude to the following: • NEPAD SANWATCE– for sponsorship towards the student’s expenses to attend the conference. • SADC WaterNet-Malawi Chapter for partially sponsoring the research study. • 13th WaterNet/WARFSA/GWP-SA Secretariat for accepting our abstract & manuscript • Department of Chemistry – Chancellor College (University of Malawi) – for provision of lab space NEPAD SANWATCE www.nepadwatercoe.org

  20. THE END THANK YOU!! ZIKOMO “Let there be work, bread, water & salt for all” -Nelson Mandela- (Adapted from: Water, Energy & Development 2012 by ESKOM) NEPAD SANWATCE www.nepadwatercoe.org

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