The transformative impact of a solar-powered water system in Maculuve, Mozambique
Background
For years, access to safe and reliable water was a pressing challenge for Maculuve Community, located in the Zinave Administrative Post of Mabote District, Inhambane Province, southern Mozambique. The community depended on a hand-operated borehole pump, which frequently broke down and lacked the capacity to serve a steadily growing population.
According to community leaders and residents interviewed during a monitoring visit conducted under the Community-Based Adaptation: Scaling-up Community Action for Livelihoods and Ecosystems (CBA SCALE+) Project in July 2026, community leaders and residents explained that, the system experienced regular mechanical failures, often remaining non-functional for extended periods due to the high cost of spare parts and limited resources for maintenance. Previous water sources included the borehole equipped with a hand-operated water pump and seasonal water collection points, both of which became increasingly unreliable due to mechanical breakdowns and recurring periods of drought.
As a result, community members were forced to travel long distances in search of water. During some periods, community members spent several hours, and in extreme cases, more than a day, collecting small quantities of water for their families.
This burden fell particularly on women, elderly people, people living with disabilities, and school-aged children, who often spent several hours each day collecting water.
The lack of reliable access to water negatively affected health, hygiene and overall well-being. Water scarcity not only increased vulnerability but also constrained opportunities for social and economic development across the community.
The project intervention
The CBA SCALE+ Project supports vulnerable communities across Southern Africa to strengthen their resilience to climate change through locally led adaptation solutions, sustainable natural resource management, and climate-resilient livelihood interventions. The project aims to empower communities to address climate-related challenges while improving livelihoods, ecosystem health, and access to essential services.
In Maculuve, one of the most transformative interventions supported by the project was the rehabilitation and upgrading of the community water supply system. The intervention was implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office and the Peace Parks Foundation, under the broader CBA-SCALE+ consortium, which includes CARE Mozambique, the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), the Associação de Jovens e Amigos de Govuro (AJOAGO Mozambique), and Malhalhe, with financial support from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection through the International Climate Initiative (IKI).
By replacing an unreliable manual water supply system with a solar-powered scheme, the project significantly improved access to safe and reliable water while strengthening the community’s resilience to climate-related challenges and enhancing health, wellbeing and livelihoods.
Recognising the critical role of water security in strengthening community resilience, the CBA-SCALE+ Project supported the rehabilitation and modernisation of the community water supply system by upgrading the existing manual infrastructure to a solar-powered system.
The intervention included the installation of a solar-powered pump and associated infrastructure to improve water abstraction and distribution. By harnessing renewable energy, the system provides a more reliable, efficient and environmentally sustainable solution while reducing dependence on manually operated technologies that had proven difficult to maintain.
This investment represents an important climate-resilient infrastructure initiative that contributes to improving water access while enhancing the community’s ability to cope with climate-related challenges and increasing water demand.
The change
The installation of the solar-powered water system has brought about a remarkable transformation in Maculuve.
Today, community members have access to a more reliable and accessible water source, significantly reducing the need to travel long distances in search of water. Residents reported that water is now available more consistently, providing a level of convenience, security and dignity that was previously unattainable.
Improved access to water has eased one of the community’s greatest daily burdens. Time previously spent fetching water can now be dedicated to productive activities, household responsibilities, education and community engagement.
Community members also highlighted the increased sense of security and peace of mind resulting from having a dependable water source located closer to their homes. The intervention has reduced reliance on distant and often unsafe water sources, improving overall quality of life.
Results and impact
The intervention has generated immediate and tangible benefits for the community. The solar-powered system has significantly increased the availability of water for domestic use, providing a more reliable and sustainable water supply solution for the community.
The community members no longer spend hours travelling long distances to fetch water. This has reduced the physical burden associated with water collection and freed up valuable time for other activities.
The system directly benefits approximately 430 residents of Maculuve Community, ensuring more regular and dignified access to an essential resource. In addition, an estimated 125 people from neighbouring communities and settlements also use the system, extending the impact of the intervention well beyond the immediate target population.
Access to water has improved living conditions and reduced the hardships historically associated with water scarcity. Community members now have greater confidence in their ability to meet their daily household water needs.
By utilizing renewable solar energy, the system provides a sustainable and climate-resilient solution that supports improved water resource management while reducing vulnerability to future water-related challenges.
The installation of the solar-powered water system has brought about a remarkable transformation in Maculuve. Today, community members have access to a more reliable and accessible water source, significantly reducing the need to travel long distances in search of water. As Paulo Laquene Utui, Community Leader, explained, “We no longer have to walk long distances in search of water.”
Improved access to water has eased one of the community’s greatest daily burdens. Time previously spent fetching water can now be dedicated to productive activities, household responsibilities, education and community engagement.
Community members also highlighted the increased sense of security and peace of mind resulting from having a dependable water source located closer to their homes. Roberto Gimo Chitlango, Traditional Leader, noted: “This water system has relieved our suffering. Before, we had to travel long distances whenever the old system broke down, but now water is available much closer to our community."
A lesson for scaling community resilience
The experience of Maculuve demonstrates how investments in climate-resilient infrastructure can deliver immediate and lasting improvements in people's lives. Reliable access to water does more than meet a basic human need it enhances dignity, improves health and well-being, strengthens resilience to climate shocks, and creates opportunities for sustainable community development.
By combining renewable energy solutions with community-focused investments, the CBA-SCALE+ Project has helped transform a long-standing challenge into a foundation for resilience, demonstrating how locally appropriate adaptation measures can generate meaningful and lasting impact for vulnerable communities.
The Community-based Adaptation: Scaling-up Community Action for Livelihoods and Ecosystems (CBA SCALE+) project is implemented by a consortium led by CARE Deutschland along with IUCN, FANRPAN, IISD and local partners, with financial support from The International Climate Initiative (IKI).