Matsapha – To improve water harvesting in urban areas and the reduction of flash-flooding, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and Matsapha Town Council implemented a first-of-its-kind project in the Kingdom of Eswatini which was the construction of a Permeable Concrete Car Park Project at the Matsapha Town Council Nursery.
Permeable Concrete is a special type of concrete that allows water to pass through it. It accomplishes this through its design of interconnected voids or gaps that allow water to infiltrate and be absorbed into the ground. This feature helps manage stormwater runoff, reduce surface water flooding, and recharge groundwater.
As this was a pilot project, Council will be now able to harvest all rainwater falling onto the nursery car park by directing it to the built reservoir to be used for hand-washing or irrigation purposes. Speaking during the launch of the project, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Disaster Management Agency stated that using this technology would greatly assist the Country in managing flood risk. The Chairperson of the Finance Committee of Council commended NDMA Eswatini and the project funders for contributing towards the development of the town.
