Description of study area

UNDP (2003 ) classifies Zimbabwe ( Figure 3.1 ) as a country with a medium human development index. The Human development Index (HDI 1 ) measures the overall achievements in a country in three basic dimensions of human development: longevity, knowledge and decent standard of living. Table 3.1 provides some important human development indicators for Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is a semi-arid country with an average annual rainfall of 736 mm/a spread over a land area of 391 000 Mm 2 . In relation to available renewable fresh water resources the country falls within what is termed a ‘water stress’ category ( Gleick, 2000 ; Hirji et al., 2002 ; FAO, 2003 ). According to FAO (2003 ), annual internal renewable fresh water totals are approximately 15 000 Mm 3 /a of which 30% is currently utilised. Of this amount, the annual ground water potential is approximately 1 000 to 2 000 Mm /a. Although a small resource, this forms a disproportionately important source of water for poor rural communities in the drier lowveld.