The most compelling indicators revealed by the Water Diagnostic Study are that the SADC region only retains 14% of the available renewable water resources of which 10% is retained in the Kariba and Cahora lakes respectively, which are the largest man-made reservoirs in the region, both of which are on the Zambezi River. The rest of the total available renewable water resources go back to oceans. The indicators shows that of the estimated total of 2 300 km3/year of renewable water resources available, the current level of abstraction is only 44 km3/year or 170 m3/capita/year; 77% of which is used for irrigation, 18% for domestic purposes and 5% is used by industry. The statistics show that there are adequate water resources to support the citizen of SADC, however the challenge is that there is insufficient infrastructure which is appropriate to make these resources available to the populace for their economic and social use. It is a notable fact that the distribution of water resources varies significantly from north to south and from east to west. These challenges therefore require concerted effort in joint planning, management and development of water resources in order to achieve the regional targets And to ensure availability and adequacy across the SADC region. The following indicators define the current situation: • The current level of abstraction is only 44 km3/year or 170 m3/capita/year – about 2% of the available resource. 77% of the current abstraction is for irrigation, 18% for domestic purposes and 5% for use by industry (Aquastat 2008); • If the storage of the Kariba and Cahora Bassa dams is excluded, only 4% of the total annual renewable water resources in the SADC region are currently stored, which is very low compared to 70-90% in most industrialised countries (UNEP 2009); • If the storage of the Kariba and Cahora Bassa dams is included, 14% of the total annual renewable water resources in the SADC region are currently being stored; • Of region’s population of 272 million people, 39% have no access to adequate, safe drinking water, while 61% has no access to adequate sanitation services; and • Of the potential 150 GW of hydropower, only 12 GW is currently installed (SADC 2011). The SADC region needs to invest in the water sector infrastructure in order to develop economically, provide better livelihoods and enhanced the quality of life of its citizens. The Water Chapter identified some 34 water infrastructure projects that are ready for immediate implementation between 2013 and 2021, given the preparation that has already been undertaken, with an estimated cost of US$16 billion. In terms of impact, the projects shall address and facilitate the increase of: WATER • Annual renewable water resources storage from 14% to 25%; • The area under irrigation from 3.4 million hectares to 10 million hectares (i.e. by 13% of the potential); • Hydropower generation from 12 GW to 75 GW (i.e. an increase from 8% to 50% of potential); • Access to water supply from 61% of the population to 75% of the population; and • Access to sanitation services from 39% to 75% of the population. Executive Summary 13