Water Use and Allocation

Surface water is, by far, the largest source of water for major development schemes in the Limpopo River basin (LBPTC 2010). The demand for water throughout the Limpopo River basin is high and unevenly spread (Ashton et al. 2001a). In particular, water demands by the agricultural (irrigation) sector accounts for over 50 % of the total water demand, followed by urban water supply at 30 % (LBPTC 2010). The remaining water demand in the rural, mining, and power sectors are equally spread at approximately 4 to 6 % each.

The total estimated water use by the riparian countries is 4 % by Botswana, 6 % by Mozambique, 60 % by South Africa, and 30 % by Zimbabwe (LBPTC 2010). The table below presents the sectoral use of water in the four riparian countries in the Limpopo River basin.

Present water use by sector in the Limpopo River basin for each riparian countries (Mm³/year).

Water reservoir in the Limpopo River basin.

Source: ARA-Sul 2008

( click to enlarge )

A study undertaken by DWAF South Africa examining the percentage increase in water demand by sector for shared river basins in South Africa, indicated that between the year 2000 and 2025 there will be an increase in demand in all sectors in the Limpopo River basin, as presented in the following table.

Sectoral Water Needs in the Limpopo River basin (10⁶m³/year).

Silalabuhwa Dam, Zimbabwe. Source: Schaefer 2010 ( click to enlarge )

Lower Ncema Dam, Zimbabwe. Source: Schaefer 2010 ( click to enlarge )