Water Demand

Assessing water demands in the Limpopo River basin is complicated by the fact that there are four countries sharing the basin, numerous sectors and services that require water and uncertainties as to availability of water - especially with respect to groundwater resources and the potential impacts of climate change. 

Chapter Summary

This chapter covers the following aspects on water demand in the basin:

• Water Demand Management including basin level measures, water demand policies and strategies and the potential impacts of climate change on water demands.
• Water Use and Allocation in the basin states.
• The primary water use sectors and the nature and distribution of water use in the basin, including:
  • Agriculture
  • Forestry
  • Urban and Rural
  • Mining and Industry
  • Hydroelectric Power Generation
  • Environmental Flows
  • Recreation and Tourism
• Strategies for water conservation and re-use in the Limpopo River basin.

Macarretane Barrage, Mozambique.

Source: Vogel 2008

( click to enlarge )