Alana Willoughby

Ms. Alana Willoughby


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
17 March 2023 in Applied Sciences
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
NJNebo Jovanovic
Nebo Jovanovic
MMMandelwa Mpambo
Mandelwa Mpambo
AWAlana Willoughby
Alana Willoughby
EMEugene Maswanganye
Eugene Maswanganye
DMDominic Mazvimavi
Dominic Mazvimavi
DTDerick du Toit
Derick du Toit
Rural areas in Limpopo Province (South Africa) are in urgent need of interventions for safe and secure water supply to adapt to climatic changes and the increased frequency of droughts. A feasibility study was conducted for the adoption of solar-powered groundwater pumping systems and Multiple Water Use Services (MUS) in Greater Giyani Municipality (Limpopo). Stakeholder engagement, geotechnical data and socio-economic information were used in the feasibility study. The Solar Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS) tool (GIZ and FAO, 2021) was used to design solar-powered shallow groundwater pumping systems at nine case study sites: four villages (water supply for domestic use) and five small-scale farms. Given the technical design configurations, peak water requirements ranged from 28.8 to 58.9 m3/d, peak power requirements from 1.2 to 3.4 kWp and required solar panel surface areas from 8.0 to 22.3 m2. Viable financial mechanisms for the operation and maintenance of MUS are leasing, cooperatives, informal saving groups and pay-per-use. The adoption of the technology appears to be financially and technically viable to augment the water supply. However, groundwater levels will have to be monitored and water purification plants for drinking water will have to be established to ensure long-term sustainability.