The Water Resource Management Authority has outlined proposed long term measures to cushion low water levels being experienced in the country.
Speaking in a presentation during the tour of the Kariba North Bank, Company Managing Director, Engineer Kenneth Nyundu, says there is need to increase the country’s water storage capacity by building more dams as the country only has 2750 dams representing 25 percent which is not enough for water storage.
Eng. Nyundu notes that the country needs to build at least 12,000 water reservoirs that will bank water for use during drought and and when water levels are low.
He adds that with time the country also needs to phase out less efficient systems such as flood irrigation which is practised among farmers adding that the country should also consider inter-basin transfer of water from the northern parts to the southern part of Zambia.
The Zambezi River Authority also notes the need for consistent maintaince at Kariba dam to avoid costly damages.
By Joan Musabile