The experience with small-scale desalinators for remote area dwellers of the Kalahari, Botswana

This is the last report to the Dutch Humanistic Institute for Co-operation with Developing Countries (HIVOS) on the desalination project for the Basarwa people in the Kalahari desert of Botswana. The initial objective at the set up in 1984, was to provide simple prototype desalinators as a drought-relief measure for Remote Area Dwellers (RADs) whose only water supply was brackish. After field testing, the "Poverello" desert survival solar still and the Night-Sky-Radiant (NCR) wood-burning still proved unsatisfactory because of low yield and lack of robustness. Therefore two new models were developed and tested: the wood-burning Ghanzi still and the Mexican solar still. With additional funds from the Canadian IDRC sponsored field research programme, a demonstration project was initiated in Zutshawa (Kgalgadi District), to provide a permanent self-sufficient water supply. After a training workshop, 32 Mexican solar stills were locally manufactured. Income was generated by selling the salt produced by the stills. Problems encountered were lack of support by local and government authorities, short life expectancy (2-4 years) of the installations and the RADs' inexperience with desalination technology. Construction and labour costs of the stills are given in appendices.