Managing Water in an LEDC: A Case Study of Botswana’s Resource Strategy

Botswana is often cited as a "success story" in Africa due to its stable economy, yet it faces a permanent geographical challenge: water scarcity. With a semi-arid climate, low rainfall (averaging 400 - 450mm annually), and high evaporation rates, managing water is vital for the nation's survival.

Table of Contents

• Methods of Water Supply in Botswana
• Problems for Households Relying on River Water
• The Importance of Improving Water Supplies in LEDCs
• Water Usage: Agriculture, Industry, and Domestic
• Why Water Usage Percentages Vary Between Countries

Methods of Water Supply in Botswana

To meet the needs of its 2.6 million people, Botswana employs several different supply strategies:

• Groundwater (Boreholes): This is the primary source for roughly 80% of the country. Thousands of boreholes tap into underground aquifers to provide water for rural villages and the massive livestock industry.
• Surface Water (Dams and Reservoirs): In the more populated East, the government has constructed large dams like the Gaborone Dam and Dikgatlhong Dam. These capture ephemeral (seasonal) river flow.
• The North-South Carrier (NSC): A massive engineering project consisting of a 400km pipeline. It transfers water from the wetter northern dams to the thirsty capital, Gaborone, in the south.
• Shared Perennial Rivers: The Okavango and Chobe rivers in the north provide year-round water, but they are far from the main population centers and are subject to international sharing agreements.

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Problems for Households Relying on River Water

In rural areas, particularly in the Okavango Delta region, many households still rely on raw river water. This presents several significant problems:

Waterborne Diseases

Untreated river water is often contaminated with bacteria (e.g., E. coli) and parasites, leading to high rates of diarrhea, cholera, and dysentery, especially in children.

Seasonal Variability

Many rivers in Botswana are ephemeral. During the dry season, they dry up completely, forcing villagers to dig into sandy riverbeds or travel long distances to find the next water source.

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Fetching water from rivers puts people at risk of attacks from crocodiles or hippos, which are common in Botswana’s permanent waterways.

Sedimentation and Pollution

Activities like cattle watering or upstream mining can pollute the water, making it turbid (cloudy) and unsafe for drinking or cooking.

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The Importance of Improving Water Supplies in LEDCs

Improving water infrastructure is not just a health issue; it is a catalyst for national development:

• Economic Productivity: When people are healthy and not suffering from waterborne illnesses, they can work and contribute to the economy.
• Education: Children (often girls) frequently spend hours daily fetching water. Piped supply allows them to stay in school, improving the nation’s literacy and skill levels.
• Industrial Growth: Industries like mining (diamonds) and manufacturing cannot operate without a reliable, high-volume water supply.
• Food Security: Reliable water allows for "smart" irrigation, reducing a country's dependence on expensive food imports and protecting against frequent droughts.

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Water Usage: Agriculture, Industry, and Domestic

Water demand is split across three main sectors. In Botswana, the distribution is shifting as the country develops:

• Agriculture (~40-50%): Mainly for livestock (cattle) and some irrigation for crops like maize and sorghum.
• Industry (~20-25%): Dominated by diamond mining and power generation. Mining requires vast amounts of water for processing ore.
• Domestic (~25-30%): Drinking, sanitation, and household use in urban centers like Gaborone and Francistown.

Note: While agriculture is the largest user globally, Botswana's industrial (mining) sector uses a higher proportion of water than many other LEDCs due to its mineral-wealthy economy.

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Why Water Usage Percentages Vary Between Countries

The "water footprint" of a nation depends on its level of development and its environment:

Agricultural Dominance in LEDCs

In many LEDCs (like Ethiopia or Vietnam), agriculture may account for 80-90% of water use. This is because the economy is based on farming, and irrigation methods are often inefficient (flood irrigation), leading to high wastage.

Industrial Dominance in MEDCs

More Economically Developed Countries (MEDCs) like Germany or the USA use a much higher percentage of water for industry and energy (cooling power plants, manufacturing).

Climatic Factors

Countries in arid regions (like Botswana or Egypt) must use more water for irrigation to grow the same amount of food as a temperate country (like the UK) where rainfall is consistent.

Standard of Living

As countries become wealthier (moving from LEDC to NIC/MEDC status), domestic water use rises as more people have flushing toilets, washing machines, and private gardens.

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