Groundwater, self-supply and poor urban dwellers

The objectives of this review are:
• to explore the extent to which urban dwellers, and especially those living in lowincome
areas, depend directly and indirectly on groundwater
• to explore the difficulties they face as a result
• to raise awareness of and emphasise the need for better integration of groundwater
in the planning and management of urban water resources.
The paper is based on a review of literature, substantiated by two case studies of Bangalore,
India, and Lusaka, Zambia, and discussions with experts. The study on Bangalore builds on
PhD and post-doctoral research carried out by Jenny Grönwall during six field trips between
2005 and 2007 (Grönwall 2008) and in 2009. The Bangalore study included a survey of close
to 300 households. The Lusaka study builds on research conducted by Martin Mulenga during
field trips in 2004 (Mulenga, Manase et al. 2004) and 2010. In both cities, views were
sought from people in the relevant authorities, NGOs and slum/low-income settlement areas.
Field trips also allowed for observations of some of the development over the past four to six
years, as well as insights into the general situation of other Indian and Zambian cities.