Evaluation of the Sand Abstraction Systems for Rural Water Supply: the case of Lupane District, Zimbabwe.

摘要

Modern sand abstraction systems, an improvement of the traditional river bed sand wells have been used for over a decade in semi-arid rural Lupane District in Zimbabwe as a drinking water source. The study investigated the water quality from the sand abstraction system, its contribution to the communities water needs, the constraints and the perception of the community on the sand abstraction system. Water samples were collected for quality assessment and a mixture of qualitative data collection techniques were used. Data was analyzed by chi-square tests. Overally, modern sand abstraction systems have a potential to supply adequate and safe drinking water to the rural communities. However, there is need for protection of the sandy aquifer from erosion, bacterial and chemical contamination. A piped water distribution network coupled with electrically driven pumping was recommended for sand abstraction systems in Lupane to alleviate challenges that come with use of the systems.