Network member
Technology sector
Agriculture
Water
Cross-sectoral
Focal point email
Problem
Climate change is severely impacting water resources in Eastern and Southern Africa, manifesting as increased drought, flooding, and water insecurity for municipal, industrial, and pastoral communities. Developing countries urgently require integrated and resilient water management solutions that can build adaptive capacity and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
A key barrier is the lack of site-specific, data-driven hydrological analysis and the institutional capacity to implement effective governance and infrastructure solutions.
A key barrier is the lack of site-specific, data-driven hydrological analysis and the institutional capacity to implement effective governance and infrastructure solutions.
Solution
Sustainable Drop Projects offers a suite of specialized services focused on engineering hydrology, water resources planning, and climate adaptation to address these challenges. Our solution focuses on four key areas, underpinned by over 17 years of experience in the region:
A. Advanced Hydrological and Climate Risk Modelling
We utilize state-of-the-art hydrological and hydrogeological models (including MIKE Basin, WRYM, HEC-RAS, and MODFLOW-6) to conduct detailed water balance assessments and infrastructure feasibility studies. This work incorporates climate change scenarios to evaluate the feasibility of cross-border water infrastructure investments and build adaptive capacity for vulnerable communities.
B. Water Use Compliance and Regulatory Support
We assist industrial, mining, and municipal clients in achieving regulatory compliance through:
-> Conducting Water Use Licence Applications (WULAs) and compliance audits.
-> Developing stormwater management plans and drought operating rules for water supply dams.
-> Providing technical guidelines for urban water management, such as sizing rainwater storage systems.
C. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and Governance
We provide expertise in urban water supply and sanitation regulation, institutional analysis, and the evaluation of governance structures like Water User Associations. Our experience includes AfDB-funded feasibility studies for large-scale donor projects in the Horn of Africa, ensuring a deep understanding of regional institutional complexities.
D. Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building
We contribute to the global knowledge base through research and knowledge product development, including Water Research Commission (WRC) reports and peer-reviewed publications on topics like rainfall forecasting, water meter performance, and system design. We engage in capacity-building efforts on IWRM.
A. Advanced Hydrological and Climate Risk Modelling
We utilize state-of-the-art hydrological and hydrogeological models (including MIKE Basin, WRYM, HEC-RAS, and MODFLOW-6) to conduct detailed water balance assessments and infrastructure feasibility studies. This work incorporates climate change scenarios to evaluate the feasibility of cross-border water infrastructure investments and build adaptive capacity for vulnerable communities.
B. Water Use Compliance and Regulatory Support
We assist industrial, mining, and municipal clients in achieving regulatory compliance through:
-> Conducting Water Use Licence Applications (WULAs) and compliance audits.
-> Developing stormwater management plans and drought operating rules for water supply dams.
-> Providing technical guidelines for urban water management, such as sizing rainwater storage systems.
C. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and Governance
We provide expertise in urban water supply and sanitation regulation, institutional analysis, and the evaluation of governance structures like Water User Associations. Our experience includes AfDB-funded feasibility studies for large-scale donor projects in the Horn of Africa, ensuring a deep understanding of regional institutional complexities.
D. Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building
We contribute to the global knowledge base through research and knowledge product development, including Water Research Commission (WRC) reports and peer-reviewed publications on topics like rainfall forecasting, water meter performance, and system design. We engage in capacity-building efforts on IWRM.
Performance and impacts
1. Climate and Environmental Impacts
Enhanced Climate Resilience and Adaptive Capacity: We successfully evaluated the feasibility of cross-border water infrastructure investments to build the adaptive capacity of pastoralist communities under climate change scenarios in the Horn of Africa (Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia). This directly contributes to long-term climate adaptation.
Drought Risk Reduction: Our work involved developing drought operating rules for rural and municipal water supply dams in South Africa. This improves water security and reduces vulnerability during drought periods.
2. Socio-Economic and Institutional Performance
Improved Water Security for Municipalities: We contributed to urban water management studies for the South African Cities Network, analyzing challenges and recommending strategies for water and sanitation services in nine member cities.
Institutional Strengthening: Our projects include assessing the sustainability of Water User Associations, governance structures, and IWRM implementation. We also conducted capacity building efforts on national/state line ministries in charge of water resources and services.
Validation of Innovative Technologies: We were engaged by the Water Research Commission (WRC) to evaluate the performance claims of water technology innovations (e.g., the Arumloo toilet and Aquatrip), supporting the uptake of verified solutions.
Knowledge Contribution: Paulo Kagoda has produced multiple WRC reports and peer-reviewed publications which disseminate critical knowledge on water meter performance, rainwater harvesting system design, and advanced hydrological modelling to the wider water sector.
Enhanced Climate Resilience and Adaptive Capacity: We successfully evaluated the feasibility of cross-border water infrastructure investments to build the adaptive capacity of pastoralist communities under climate change scenarios in the Horn of Africa (Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia). This directly contributes to long-term climate adaptation.
Drought Risk Reduction: Our work involved developing drought operating rules for rural and municipal water supply dams in South Africa. This improves water security and reduces vulnerability during drought periods.
2. Socio-Economic and Institutional Performance
Improved Water Security for Municipalities: We contributed to urban water management studies for the South African Cities Network, analyzing challenges and recommending strategies for water and sanitation services in nine member cities.
Institutional Strengthening: Our projects include assessing the sustainability of Water User Associations, governance structures, and IWRM implementation. We also conducted capacity building efforts on national/state line ministries in charge of water resources and services.
Validation of Innovative Technologies: We were engaged by the Water Research Commission (WRC) to evaluate the performance claims of water technology innovations (e.g., the Arumloo toilet and Aquatrip), supporting the uptake of verified solutions.
Knowledge Contribution: Paulo Kagoda has produced multiple WRC reports and peer-reviewed publications which disseminate critical knowledge on water meter performance, rainwater harvesting system design, and advanced hydrological modelling to the wider water sector.