Across Malawi, beneath our feet, lies one of the country’s most dependable lifelines, groundwater. Quiet, invisible, and often overlooked, groundwater supports millions of Malawians for domestic use, agriculture, industry, and ecosystem health. As the climate continues to shift and surface water sources experience increasing pressure, groundwater is becoming more vital than ever.
The National Water Resources Authority (NWRA) is strengthening Malawi’s resilience by expanding groundwater monitoring networks across districts. Using tools such as monitoring wells, digital dippers, and water-level loggers, NWRA teams collect data that helps determine groundwater availability, trends in recharge, and the health of aquifers.
One key initiative underway is the Groundwater Level Monitoring Programme, which captures static water levels from observation wells across the country. This data is essential for understanding how rainfall patterns, irrigation, and urban development influence underground water reserves. Early findings show that some areas are experiencing seasonal declines, reinforcing the need for sustainable abstraction and better protection of recharge zones.
Groundwater also faces threats, from poor well construction to pollution caused by pit latrines, waste disposal, and unregulated borehole drilling. NWRA is working closely with district councils, water utilities, private drillers, and communities to promote safe drilling standards and monitoring compliance with the Water Resources Act (2013).
Groundwater may be hidden, but its protection must be visible. Through continuous monitoring, community engagement, and data-driven decision-making, NWRA is ensuring that Malawi’s aquifers remain secure for future generations.