Storing water: a new integrated approach for resilient development.

WISA Newsletter 14th May 2021

The variability of rainfall and the impact of climate change on our weather patterns has combined to cause even more hardship in an already water-scarce environment like southern Africa. The correct storage of water is a vital component to ensure the safety, health and even socio-economic development  of communities. There is an increasing need to develop more storage types and manage existing storage better, and this paper argues that water storage should be recognised as a service rather than only a facility. It also shows that there are numerous data gaps pertaining to water storage, as well as a need for greater clarity on some key concepts. This paper does not introduce new data or research but rather provides a review of some of the current knowledge and issues around water storage, and outlines a new, integrated and constructive water storage agenda for the decades to come.
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