The National Water Supply and Sanitation Council has developed a Climate Risks Screening (CRS) Guideline for the Water Supply and Sanitation Sub-Sector.
This is in response to the rising impacts of climate change and climate variability that has affected the country and the region as a whole.
NWASCO Director Kelvin Chitumbo says that with adverse impacts of climate change, water quantity and quality will most likely be severely impacted and may eventually lead to adverse impacts on the economic and social well-being of the communities, if adaptive measures are not put in place.
Mr. Chitumbo adds that the CRS guideline will provide the framework on systematic steps practitioners can take to identify climate hazards and extenuating measures as they design and implement water services projects.
“Though the guideline is primarily intended for use on new projects, it can also be used to climate proof already existing water services projects and infrastructure by guiding decision making for any modifications that may be required,” he said.
Mr. Chitumbo further adds that the guidelines are also intended to be used as decision making pointers during project planning and designs so that climate risks are identified and appropriate adaptation measures selected to reduce vulnerability.
They also contain a series of steps that help determine the level of vulnerability and subsequent actions that need to be undertaken to adapt to projected climate impacts. .
The guideline has been developed in consultation with sector actors to help Commercial Utilities screen water and sanitation projects for climate change risks.