The potential of solar energy for sustainable water resource development and averting national social burden in rural areas of Zambia

Abstract

About 50% of the Zambia’s population in the rural areas do not have access to an improved source of water supply, thus relies on untreated water from shallow wells, streams and rivers for drinking and other activities. The lack of access to clean water is associated with water related illnesses and other negative social impacts. This paper aimed to propose use of solar energy in water pumping systems for water supply in rural areas of Zambia. The information used is from secondary sources. Use of the solar energy in water pumping system is not only an important part of providing household with clean drinking water alternative, but also important for access to an improved source of water supply for rural households and sustainable water resource development in Zambia. The paper further investigates the potential of using solar energy in water pumping system to avert the nation’s disease burden and its sustainability using number of employment created as indicator. The analyzed results indicates that the use of solar energy in water pumping systems have the potential of reducing the Zambia’s social cost burden by 30% which translate to about US$61million saving per year and can create employment of about 24,000 in Zambia.