Consultancy Services to Determine Vulnerability of Groundwater in Coastal Cities — Program for Cape Town

Cape Town

The dependency and vulnerability of Coastal Cities emanates from several factors. Firstly, rapid urban growth and population increase lead to higher demand for water, often met by groundwater due to inadequate surface water sources. Due to the inability by many urban authorities to supply water through the reticulated schemes, many informal settlements rely heavily on shallow wells and boreholes for water supply.

By virtue of their location on the coastline, megacities face the risk of saltwater intrusion into aquifers, especially during dry seasons or due to excessive groundwater extraction. Pollution from urban runoff, industrial activities, agricultural activities and improper sanitation can degrade groundwater quality, making it unfit for consumption. Climate Change has also given rise to changing precipitation patterns and rising temperatures are affecting groundwater recharge rates and may also increase demand due to higher temperatures and evaporation, or reduced surface water availability, potentially leading to over-exploitation.

The urban sprawl in Coastal cities, inadequate enforcement of regulations and improper management of groundwater resources can exacerbate these vulnerabilities.

• Objective of the Assignment

The overall objective of this assignment is to determine the dependency on and vulnerability of groundwater in the Coastal cities of Cape Town and Dar-Es-Salaam

• Project Deliverables

The main outputs from the project are:

a. Technical Report on groundwater dependency in each of the 2 Coastal Cities

b. Technical Report on groundwater vulnerability in each of the Coastal Cities

c. 2 Final conjunctive management strategic action plans and operating rules developed for each one of the 2 Megacities

• Eligibility

i. This assignment targets a firm or a partnership of individuals with a track record of more than 10 years of proven experience conducting similar urban water dependency and vulnerability assessments in sub-Saharan Africa.

ii. Demonstrate at least 5 years of experience in the groundwater sector within the SADC region.

iii. The successful firm or partnership must demonstrate experience in at least three projects undertaking detailed work in similar urban water resources assessment and planning in the SADC region.

• Schedule and Duration of Assignment

This is a once-off assignment without any obligation for follow-up work and is expected to run for eighteen (18) months with an estimated aggregate level of effort of 300 person-days for key experts only, all-inclusive of field, travel and office work.

• Liaison and Logistics

On a day-to-day basis, the team of consultants will liaise with the SADC-GMI through the Executive Director being responsible for the final approval of all deliverables.

• Expression of Interest Submission Requirements

Interested consultancy firms are requested to submit an expression of interest, and the expression of interest should include the following:

a) Evidence showing that the firm is a legal entity (certificate of registration)

b) Demonstrate at least 5 years of experience in the groundwater sector within the SADC region

c) Availability of Professional Key Staff with Suitable Qualifications in the field of

assignment.

d) Demonstrate experience in at least three projects undertaking detailed work in similar urban water resources assessment and planning in the SADC region.

e) Brief description (not more than 3 pages) of the proposed Methodology of carrying out the scope of the work.

f) The EOI submission should not exceed 30 pages.

Further information can be obtained at the e-mail address listed below during office hours i.e., 08:00 am-5:00pm, Monday – Friday, [email protected]

• Submission of Expression of Interest (EOI)

Bidders must submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) by e-mail to [email protected] by 12:00 noon (RSA Time) on or before 30 August 2024.

NB: For a detailed Terms of Reference, please visit SADC website at www.sadc-gmi.org .