Community Water Alliance

02/02/2026

CWA STATEMENT ON WORLD WETLANDS DAY

02/02/2026

Today, Community Water Alliance (CWA) joins the global community in commemorating World Wetlands Day 2026, under the theme:
“Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage.”
Wetlands are nature’s water treatment plants purifying water at no cost, recharging rivers and streams, and storing carbon that helps combat climate change. For generations, indigenous and local knowledge systems have guided communities in protecting and sustainably managing these vital ecosystems.

At CWA, we recognize that water access cannot be separated from wetland protection. Healthy wetlands are the foundation of safe water, resilient communities, and thriving ecosystems.

As a non-profit organization working to close gaps in WASH, Environment, and Climate services, CWA prioritizes wetland preservation as a core component of sustainable water solutions. This is especially critical for women and youths, who often bear the greatest burden of water scarcity and unpaid household care work.

Through multi-sectoral community partnerships, and as a proud member of the Government’s WASH Emergency Strategic Advisory Group (ESAG), CWA continues to promote integrated approaches that protect wetlands while improving water access and strengthening climate resilience.

In Zimbabwe, wetlands were traditionally regarded as sacred spaces, and this cultural respect played a vital role in their preservation. Communities were prohibited from entering wetlands with dirty utensils or grazing livestock, practices that protected water sources particularly for rural communities. One such example is Dandavare Wetland in Buhera, also known as the Gwindingwi area, which historically recharged a local dam. This not only secured water availability but also improved water quality for surrounding communities.
These traditional conservation models remain relevant today. Returning to such practices especially in rural areas can support wetland restoration and sustainable water management.

Traditional leaders served as custodians of this knowledge, passing it from one generation to the next through oral traditions. However, the lack of documentation has posed a challenge to sustaining these practices over time.

CWA therefore calls for the documentation and integration of traditional knowledge systems to guide and strengthen wetland preservation efforts in rural communities, ensuring that cultural heritage continues to inform sustainable environmental stewardship.

Protect wetlands. Secure water. Empower women. Build resilient communities.









COMMUNITY WATER ALLIANCE INFORMATION DEPARTMENT

19/12/2025

Wash Officer Joyleen Nyachuru explaining how to assemble and clean the double bucket Sydney 905 water filter.

17/12/2025

Glen View Community Engagement on the Harare Sustainable Cities Initiative (HSCI)

17/12/2025

Today, Community Water Alliance (CWA), in partnership with UN-Habitat and Practical Action, successfully convened a Stakeholder and Community Engagement Meeting at the Glenview New Hall as part of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) process for the proposed BSF project.

The meeting brought together community members, youth, women, men, local leadership and other stakeholders to share information and gather feedback on the proposed project, which includes: Improved solid waste management and recycling, conversion of waste into energy through production of briquettes,
Installation of a community water point with borehole and storage tanks, improved sanitation and ablution facilities

Participants were taken through a project overview, followed by thematic group discussions (youth, women and men) guided by structured stakeholder questionnaires. These discussions focused on community awareness, expected benefits, potential concerns and practical suggestions to strengthen environmental protection, public health and livelihoods.

Key issues raised includes job creation, cleaner surroundings, access to safe water as well as concerns around odor, noise, traffic, and environmental safety, all of which will inform project design and mitigation measures.

CWA appreciates the active participation and valuable contributions from the Glen View community, local leadership, and partners. The feedback received will directly inform the ESIA and ensure the project is community-responsive, environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive.

Together, we are building cleaner, healthier, and more resilient communities.

The City of Harare UN-HABITAT Practical Action

15/12/2025

CWA DISTRIBUTES WATER FILTERS AT HOUSEHOLD LEVEL

15/12/2025

Community Water Alliance (CWA) is partnering with Mvura Chaiyo to bring high-quality double bucket Sydney 905 water filters to selected households in Cholera prone areas like Glenview and Chitungwiza. The initiative came after conducting an assessment and it is done to ensure safe, clean drinking water and safe storage mechanisms are being promoted at household level.

The Sydney 905 water filters is an innovative system that uses a Hallow Fibre Membrane comprising tiny "U" shapped micro tubes that allow water to enter into their cores through 0.1 micron (absolute) pores in the walls. The pores are so minute that no harmful bacteria including those which cause Cholera, Typhoid and Ecoli can get through.

The microfiltration filter physically blocks harmful contaminants without using chemicals. The filter requires regular backwash cleaning as part of its maintenance to increase its lifespan.

To make safe water accessible to everyone, we are using a Pay-As-You-Go model. Households can spread the cost into affordable monthly payments, making clean water a reality for all. The payments are meant to purchase more water filters in order to expand the program to more households.

Together, we are building healthier, more resilient communities targeting Glenview and Chitungwiza which are Cholera hotspots.

10/12/2025

CWA COMMEMORATES HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

10/12/2025

​Community Water Alliance joins the rest of the world in commemorating Human Rights Day, running under the theme "Our Everyday Essentials."

CWA is at the forefront front, ensuring the constitutional right to clean, safe and potable water in Zimbabwe is a lived reality for all. CWA work has a direct application of human rights based approach in WASH, Environment and Climate justice.

CWA worked tirelessly to ensure the human right to water is included in the 2013 Constitution amendment No 20. The human right to water is enshrined on Section 77(a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and CWA calls for duty-bearers to protect, promote and fulfill this constitutional right.
Section 73 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe also gives everyone the right to a clean environment that is not harmful to their health and this compels duty bearers to protect, promote and fulfill this right.

On WASH Interventions, CWA engages work with communities giving support through infrastructure and civic education. This initiative directly tackles the barriers on access to WASH, Environment and Climate services.

CWA has been championing for the preservation of wetlands safeguarding the natural resources that are critical for sustainable water supply for present and future generations.

CWA works to empower citizens and build alliances to hold water service providers accountable, ensuring services are available, accessible, affordable, and safe for everyone, especially the most vulnerable women and girls who bear the burden of water scarcity as they are confined to non-paying household chores due to our patriarchal society.

​On this Human Rights Day, join CWA in recognizing that Water is a Human Right. Not a Privilege

09/12/2025

Community Water Alliance National Coordinator Mr. Mudzingwa sharing a presentation of CWA research on water use within mining communities during the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) forum.

He highlighted the need for the review of institutional framework, legal structures and accountability mechanisms on mining and water security.

Responsible Mining Audits & Environmental Social Governance (ESG) were among some of the recommendations highlighted.

09/12/2025

An official from the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organization (ZELO) Ms Michelle Chitando sharing an overview of the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) during the (IWRM) forum currently underway at Monomotapa Hotel.

The meeting is convened by CWA in collaboration with with ZELO to promote dialogue, engagement and advocacy on water issues in Zimbabwe.

09/12/2025

Community Water Alliance (CWA) Programmes Manager Christopher Gohori today opened the IWRM Forum being held at the Monomotapa Hotel, co-convened with the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation, by laying out the critical objectives.
​The overall goal which is To provide a robust platform for dialogue, engagement, and advocacy on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in Zimbabwe, focusing on crafting legislative recommendations that truly promote IWRM principles.
​This is a crucial moment yhat seeks to leverage policy reviews (Water Act, Environmental Management Act, Mines and Minerals Act) and international commitments (like the Paris Agreement and SADC Protocol) to tackle pressing challenges:

​ •Climate variability and long-term shifts.
​ •Mining impacts on water catchment areas (pollution, degradation, sedimentation).
​• Reduced resilience and negative impacts on health and livelihoods in climate hotspots like Gwanda and Gutu.
​Expected Outputs: Consensus on legal review needs and formulating strong stakeholder action plans! Let's work together to secure water for all. The City of Harare
Embassy of the Netherlands in Zimbabwe Water Witness #

28/11/2025

https://youtu.be/fi7scLcz5DA?si=8MTLDv4KQoYAuxkx

We are joined by the Climate and Environmental Activist Mr Mudzingwa to discuss about the hidden dangers inside the mine and he explains how the situation is...

27/11/2025

27/11/2025

26/11/2025

CWA BLACK SOLDIER FLY PROJECT INCEPTION MEETING

26 November 2025

Today, Community Water Alliance (CWA) is holding an inception meeting to introduce an exciting pilot project on Black Soldier Fly technology a sustainable solution for managing biodegradable waste while producing organic fertilizer and stock feed.

This innovative initiative, implemented in partnership with UN-HABITAT under the Harare Sustainable Cities Initiative, aims to transform waste into wealth and strengthen circular economy practices within our communities. Experts from Chinhoyi University of Technology are also offering hands-on training in Black Soldier Fly farming to enhance local skills and capacity.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including officials from The City of Harare district office, Waste Management Department, City Health Department, Environmental Management Agency, Ministry of Women Affairs, Zimbabwe Republic Police, UN-Habitat, the local Councillor, Chra Harare Cmbined Harare Residents Association, community members, journalists, and 10 women recyclers already active in waste recovery.

This initiative comes as CWA joins the world in commemorating the Against Gender-Based Violence by promoting sustainable waste management and creating economic opportunities especially for women and youth. The project contributes to safer, healthier and more resilient communities.

Together, we are building a cleaner Harare and empowering citizens through green innovation.

COMMUNITY WATER ALLIANCE INFORMATION DEPARTMENT