In the heart of Harare, Zimbabwe, the Stoneridge informal settlement is emblematic of a silent crisis. Here, 72% of households lack access to improved water sources, according to groundbreaking research led by Tendai Hardwork Madzaramba of Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. The findings, published in the *H2Open Journal* (formerly known as the *Hydrology for Disaster Management Journal*), reveal a stark disparity between national statistics and ground realities—a gap that could have far-reaching implications for public health, urban development, and even the energy sector.
Madzaramba’s team employed a mixed-methods approach, combining water point mapping, field investigations, and a community-based cross-sectional study of 550 households. The results are alarming: only 9% of households have access to safely managed drinking water as defined by the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP). Worse still, half of the residents rely on shared sanitation facilities, which the JMP classifies as “limited” due to hygiene risks. “The situation is dire,” Madzaramba notes. “Most unprotected wells are within 25 meters of sanitation facilities, creating a clear health hazard that national data simply don’t capture.”
The commercial implications for the energy sector are significant. Informal settlements like Stoneridge often lack centralized infrastructure, forcing reliance on decentralized solutions—such as boreholes, water trucks, or small-scale treatment systems. These solutions demand energy, whether for pumping groundwater, transporting water via tankers, or powering filtration units. As urbanization accelerates, the energy demands of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services in informal settlements will only grow, creating opportunities—and challenges—for utilities, private providers, and investors.
The study also highlights the urgent need for low-cost fecal sludge management and routine water quality monitoring. Without these, the risk of groundwater contamination and disease outbreaks looms large. For the energy sector, this translates to potential demand for sanitation technologies, such as biogas digesters or solar-powered treatment plants, which could align with sustainability goals while addressing a critical gap.
Madzaramba’s work underscores a harsh truth: informal settlements are often invisible in national planning, yet their challenges demand innovative, scalable solutions. As cities expand, the energy-water nexus in these areas will become a defining issue—one that could shape investment strategies, policy frameworks, and technological advancements in the coming decades. The question isn’t just about water and sanitation; it’s about how we power progress in the places that need it most.