Summary

SAI Zambia conducted a performance audit of measures put in place by the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation over 2021–2024 for mitigation of water scarcity in the country. These measures concerned strengthening institutional framework in the implementation of water harvesting programs and ensuring availability and sustainability of water harvesting infrastructure. Auditors noted incomplete legislative regulation of all water harvesting technologies, a failure of national policies to meet current demands, unimplemented strategies for enhancing water harvesting, and adoption of non-domesticated guidelines for dam operation and maintenance. The audit revealed that the Ministry did not conduct research to facilitate the implementation of less complex and cost-effective water harvesting techniques, failed to invest in capacity building on dam construction and rehabilitation, and failed to mobilize resources to implement water harvesting programs. Furthermore, SAI Zambia noted low collaboration among stakeholders, poor dam rehabilitation and maintenance, and inadequate monitoring by the Ministry. SAI Zambia issued a number of recommendations to the Ministry regarding standardizing dam management guidelines, harmonizing stakeholder engagement strategy, reviewing the current water policy, exploring alternative water harvesting technologies, enhancing officers' technical capacity, investing in water harvesting equipment to reduce outsourcing costs, and strengthening monitoring through inspections for water harvesting infrastructure.