RESEARCH AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT: OFFERINGS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Examining the potential of using spring waters for domestic and irrigation farming activities: Case study of Liwonde, Malawi.A Russel C.G. Chidya (MSc)Prof Wapulumuka O. MulwafuAss Prof Samson S.M.I Sajidu

A Corresponding 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

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AMCOW

Presentation Outline2NEPAD SANWATCEwww.nepadwatercoe.org

Introduction & Literature ReviewAim and ObjectivesMethods and MaterialsResults & DiscussionConclusion & Recommendations Acknowledgements

1. Introduction & Literature review3NEPAD SANWATCEwww.nepadwatercoe.org

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).

Intrd cont.../...4NEPAD SANWATCEwww.nepadwatercoe.org

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.

2. Aim & specific objectives5NEPAD SANWATCEwww.nepadwatercoe.org

Main Aim:To examine the potential of using cold and hot spring waters for domestic and irrigation farming activities in Liwonde, Malawi.

Specific ObjectivesTo 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.

3. Methods & Materials6

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.

Fig 1A: Map of Africa & Malawi showing location of Study AreaSW1NSW10Liwonde TownshipTo LilongweFrom BlantyreSW2SW3SW4SW11SW12SW5SW6SW7SW8SW9SHIRE RIVERMtsFig 1B: Location of sampling sites

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13 Hot & cold springs were identified, most connected to boreholes. 3.2 Water sample collection BoreholeSpring water flow thru boreholeAquifer systemFig 2: Schematic diagram of a borehole connected to a springWater samples collected in triplicate using 0.5 L cleaned plastic bottles; transported &preserved in accordance with std methods (APHA, 1998; WII, 2008).

Fig 3: A hot spring in Liwonde

3.3 Physico-chemical & discharge analyses

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Table 1: Water Quality parameters & analytical methods used

ParameterSiteMethodpH, water T, EC, & TDSOn siteField digital metersAlkalinity, (as CO32- &HCO3- )LABTitration (WII, 2008)Total hardness (due to Ca2+ & Mg2+)LABEDTA titrimetric (APHA, 1998; WHO, 1999). Cl-LABISE method (APHA, 1998; NICO, 2000)SO42- LABTurbidmetric (UV/Vis spectrophotometer, model #. 6405, England )PO43- LABVanadomolybdophosphoric acid Colorimetric (UV/Vis, model #. 6405, England)Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cd, Zn, Cu, & MnLABAES (Agilent 4100 MP-AES, USA)Discharge of springs flowing through boreholes On-siteVolumetric method with a bucket at an average height of about 70 cm.

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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]

3.5 Socio-economic data collection 10NEPAD SANWATCEwww.nepadwatercoe.org

The socio-economic activities making use of springs in the study area investigated thru: Field visits, Observations, key informant interviews literature review3.6 Statistical AnalysisSocial-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%)

4. Results & Discussion11NEPAD SANWATCEwww.nepadwatercoe.org

Fig 4 (A, B, C): Pictures showing spring flow through boreholes in Liwonde. (Photos: Russel Chidya)4.1 The socio-economic activities and spring water management 12 cold & hot springs identified & most (75%, n=12) were associated with boreholes. ABC

Results & Discussion contd12

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 pondsFig 5: Pictures showing multiple uses of spring waters. (Photos: Russel Chidya)

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Watering of nursery & tree seedlingsGrowing of vegetablesFig 6: Photos showing multiple use of springs waters. (photos: R Chidya)13

Results & Discussion contd14NEPAD SANWATCEwww.nepadwatercoe.org

Major problems observed

Congestion (>300 households)

Poor management

Lack of maintenance

Poor Sanitation (photo by Russel Chidya)ANY POSSIBLE INTERVENTION?

Integrated approach in spring water usage and management, hence IWRM i.e. to address:

Hygiene & SanitationWater quality & quantityAccess to water

4.2 Physico-chemical characteristics

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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 consumptionBoth EC &TDS were within MBS (2005) limit (EC 700 1500 (S/cm).

However, springs near Shire R showed slightly higher EC & TDS, hence depict high ionisation and dissolution of minerals.

4.2 Physico-chemical characteristics ... contd

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SiteTurbidity (FNU)T (C)Discharge (cm3/s)CO32-(mg/L)HCO3-(mg/L)SO42-(mg/L)PO43-(mg/L)Cl-(mg/L)SW10.1827.73296.8813.8329.2232.36bdl72.44SW20.1329.00309.3314.32225.5836.85bdl117.35SW30.1428.33824.0816.88250.0432.930.33191.36SW40.0927.00296.8812.36332.9826.09bdl135.48SW50.1228.47433.9448.04165.1533.88bdl103.40SW61.0638.00Nd42.8175.6025.920.33105.87SW70.2526.40134.1241.24177.0639.620.67129.56SW81.3030.33Nd42.76172.9137.721.17120.92SW90.2625.8029.4126.28180.1532.61bdl77.99SW100.2439.70Nd25.44151.85115.80bdl19.52SW1112.8341.33Nd27.12145.0084.951.6762.08SW1210.5840.33Nd26.68146.8988.911.17112.41MBS (2005)5.0NANANANA200-400NA100-200WHO (2008)0.1-1.0NANANANA500*NA250T: 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 valueTable 2: Results on physico-chemical characteristics of the spring water

Results & Discussion contd 17NEPAD SANWATCEwww.nepadwatercoe.org

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 S1 class (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.

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 STUDIESIntegrated 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.

5. Conclusion18NEPAD SANWATCEwww.nepadwatercoe.org

6. Acknowledgements 19NEPAD SANWATCEwww.nepadwatercoe.org

Authors would like to express their sincerely gratitude to the following:

NEPAD SANWATCE for sponsorship towards the students 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

THE END

THANK YOU!!ZIKOMO

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Let there be work, bread, water & salt for all

-Nelson Mandela-

(Adapted from: Water, Energy & Development 2012 by ESKOM)