EVELYN KHONJE*
Contributor
Mudi Dam in Blantyre City is an unsung hero. It ensures steady water supply even when the famous Walker’s Ferry and Nguludi Pumping Stations stutter.
Constructed to bolster the city’s water network, Mudi Dam provides safe water when primary pumping stations fail.
However, the dam has faced a significant challenge: Siltation. Deforestation and other human activities in its catchment erode topsoil, which accumulates in the dam and significantly reduce its water-holding capacity.
Over the years, silt and sediments have reduced the dam’s capacity from 45 000 cubic metres (45 million litres) per day to 9 000 cubic metres.
The water treatment Plant now abstracts less water for target customers and essential facilities such as Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Limbe Health Centre, Blantyre Prison and Chichiri primary and secondary schools.
Blantyre Water Board (BWB) chairperson Joe Ching’ani says: “The Mudi Dam remains crucial in easing pressure on Walker’s Ferry and Nguludi, supporting our efforts to meet the growing water demand in Blantyre City.
“However, its small capacity necessitates expansion and upgrading to make its contribution more significant.”
BWB is working with various partners to plant trees in the Mudi catchment to reduce soil erosion, siltation and human activities around the dam.
“Tree planting in the catchment provides a natural protection to the water source. It slows down run-offs, impr+ving water filtration and reducing soil erosion,” says
Mudi Catchment Authority member Apostle Raphael Chikwawa calls for civic education, training and empowerment of local community leaders as part of a long-term strategy to conserve Mudi catchment.
He states: “When communities understand the benefits of trees, water quality and soil conservation, they are more likely to protect and sustainably manage forest resources.
“We need sustainable land management practices, enforcement against illegal encroachment and, most importantly, ownership of this initiative by local residents.”
Siltation affects water quality. The piling foreign matter in Mudi Dam makes it more difficult and expensive to treat water for safe consumption, increasing operational costs for BWB.
In February, Sky Energy Africa, dealers in solar energy solutions and electric cars, planted 2 000 in Mudi Catchment.
Sky Energy Africa operations manager Kondwani Tchereni says: “As a green business, we realise our corporate responsibility to conserve the environment and help restore degraded landscapes.
“We hope that our contribution to making Mudi catchment greener will awaken more players in the private sector to put sustainable environmental management policies at the centre of their businesses and help make Malawi greener. Together, we can tackle emerging challenges such as deforestation, water stress and climate change.”
Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) is part of the partnership to restore Mudi catchment.
MBC spokesperson Chisomo Mwamadi says environmental sustainability is a core pillar of the State-owned corporate social responsibility strategy.
He says the media house remains committed to promoting sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
Mwamadi states: “As a national broadcaster, MBC sees itself not just as a communicator and a catalyst for positive change. Our partnership with Blantyre Water Board in the Mudi Catchment area is driven by a shared recognition of the critical importance of preserving natural water sources for the benefit of current and future generations.
“Reforestation in the catchment not only helps secure Blantyre’s water supply but also broader environmental concerns such as soil erosion, climate change and biodiversity loss.”
The restoration of degraded landscapes surrounding it highlights the power of citizen-led environmental action and responsible businesses.
Despite its shrinking capacity, Mudi Dam continues to steady water supply when the demand peaks and main sources are under stress.
Mudi Dam is earmarked for rehabilitation under the Malawi Water and Sanitation Project spearheaded by the Government of Malawi with funding from the World Bank.
The work focuses on restoring the dam’s capacity and functionality.
“The rehabilitation of the Mudi Dam will not only improve water security for the city, but also strengthen BWB’s resilience against climate-induced water shortages and infrastructure vulnerabilities,” says BWB chief executive officer Dr. Robert Hanjahanja.
Sustainable environmental management and safeguarding water supply are pivotal to the Malawi 2063 and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) six ensuring universal access to clean water and sanitation by 2030.
By engaging local communities, schools, government institutions and private businesses in planting trees, BWB is fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility for the endangered catchment amid rapid urbanisation and population growth.
With the planned rehabilitation, BWB expects the Mudi Dam to be better equipped to meet the growing water demand in the commercial city.
