Community-led polycentric water management for drought mitigation in Southern Zambia

Recurrent droughts in Southern Zambia have increased rural community vulnerabilities, intensified water scarcity, and worsened food insecurity. Unpredictable rainfall and the drying of open water sources pose significant challenges to livelihoods. In response, Hanzila community in Zambia implemented a transformative locally-led initiative to enhance drought resilience, with support from district-level authorities, national government, and international partners. Sectoral silos in the government’s vertical polycentric decision-making framework were overcome by horizontal decision-making across all tiers. Accordingly, the installation of a solar-powered borehole facilitated year-round access to water for drinking, domestic use, livestock, and irrigation. An assessment of the impact of the solar-powered borehole established that 86% people had become less reliant on unclean water sources, with reduced travel to access water. Moreover, the proportion of households cultivating gardens increased from 23% to 69%, enhancing food security and nutrition. Over three quarters of the households that owned gardens now generated income from vegetable sales. The solar-powered borehole also created a reliable water source for 89% of the households that raised small livestock — goats, sheep, and chickens. Among the 48% of respondents who owned cattle, more than half had stopped using distant open water sources; instead, they now accessed water from the solar-powered borehole. However, households situated farther from the ten supply taps implemented with the borehole still had to travel longer distances to access water. To ensure all households have equal access to water when the available funding is limited, community members could contribute to finance the extension of the reticulation to reach all households.