TERM OF REFERENCE (TOR)

Consultant Job: Needs Assessment Survey

Country / districts: Zambia, Kabwe district

Duration of assignment:

6 weeks

Name of Project  – Promoting Eco-Friendly Communities:

Mitigating Lead Contamination and Promoting Sustainable Development in Kabwe, Zambia

Habitat for Humanity Zambia

Donor: KOICA

Expression of Interest

Dated of Issue

25th March 2024

1.   Introduction

More than one-third of the population of Kabwe— over 76,000 people—live in lead-contaminated townships. Twenty-five years after the mine closed, high lead levels, exceeding international standards, remain in the soil and dust around the former mine, particularly in the townships of Kasanda, Makandanyama, Chowa, Mutwe Wansofu, and Makululu in Kabwe. The former mine area itself still hosts tailings and other waste from the mine and smelter, including a large waste dump known locally as “Black Mountain,” and has become a site for artisanal and small-scale mining. Studies estimate that half of the children in these areas have elevated blood lead levels that warrant medical treatment.

The main source of contamination, the old mine, continues to exist and poses significant health damage to the population, including children. Some work has been done around cleaning up lead-contaminated neighborhoods and conducting testing and treatment. However, nothing has been done to address the full scale of the contamination; in particular, to address the source of the contamination, Kabwe mine’s waste dumps, or to clean up affected townships in a comprehensive manner. Most of these interventions have had limited participation of the local communities.

Lead pollution is invisible, as lead-contaminated soil appears no different from uncontaminated soil. Many of the health effects of lead also go unnoticed, given that long-term harm to internal organs or brain development may not manifest in immediate symptoms. In Kabwe, even the most severe effects from lead are hidden. Although there are limited records on the effects of lead.

This assessment will document the impact of lead and the various stakeholders government’s response to the crisis. The study will interview government officials, civil society representatives, families impacted by the contamination, and others to assess the government’s approach and its implications on remediation efforts.

1.1    About Habitat for Humanity Zambia

HFHZ is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), a worldwide non-profit, housing organization focused on ameliorating housing poverty through the provision of decent housing, security of tenure, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and other cross-cutting issues including livelihoods, gender, and climate resilience for families in need. The organization has been operating in Zambia since 1984.

1.2        About the proposed project

Habitat for Humanity Zambia, being a housing-focused organization is committed to providing a decent place for everyone to live in and thrive. The proposed project will contribute to increased habitability, through enhanced community resilience and the adoption of appropriate lead poisoning exposure mitigation measures to reduce contamination and promote a safer environment for affected communities in the townships of 1. Chowa, 2. Kasanda, 3. Makululu, 4. Makandanyama, 5. Mutwe Wansofu, 6. Waya and 7. Railway.

1.2.1 Overall Objective:

Reduced risk of lead poisoning in selected areas of Kabwe District, Zambia

1.2.2 Specific Objectives:

1.    To reduce physical exposure to lead contamination in the built environment.

2.    To improve the capacity of community-based organisations and support line departments— government institutions and/or Agents to effectively respond to remediation efforts gather community perspectives.

3.    Conduct a KAP (knowledge, attitude, and practice) assessment on lead contamination in Kabwe.

1.2.3 Project Expected Outcomes

• Outcome 1: Reduced physical exposure to lead contamination in the built environment.
• Outcome 2: Improved capacity of the community-based organizations and line departments— government institutions and/or Agents
• Outcome 2: Enhanced understanding on the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices on lead poisoning in Kabwe

2.  Purpose of the Feasibility Study

The study will be used to support the development of the full proposal, plan effective interventions, monitoring and evaluation systems and also to identify gaps and specific strategies which could be developed and incorporated into the project design.

Areas – Description

Health

• Evaluate the current health status of the community of concern, focusing on lead-related illnesses.
• Identify the prevalence of lead poisoning and its impact on vulnerable populations, such as children and pregnant women.

WASH

• Evaluate the condition of existing water pumps and boreholes.
• Assess the current water sources for lead contamination.
• Identify areas in the project sites region with insufficient access to clean water.

Community Knowledge and Awareness

• Gather community perspectives and KAP (knowledge, attitude, and practice) including cultural habits on lead contamination.
• Assess community needs, preferences, and priorities regarding water supply and pollution alleviation.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

• Review existing regulations related to water quality and pollution control.
• Identify gaps and challenges in the enforcement of regulations.

The study will seek to establish feasibility side by:

1.    assessing the project objectives, merit and worth of the project based on OECD DAC Evaluation Criteria (cf. bengo´s “Guide to conducting feasibility studies”);

2.    providing a sound, empirically verified basis for the project, identifying and verifying material assumptions and prerequisites for project success, identifying risks and risk mitigation strategies based on the OECD DAC Evaluation criteria.

3.    present project context on community-, district, regional-, and national level, including relevant baseline data:

• Ground conditions and environmental factors (e.g. lead contamination levels, presence of rocky ground, high ground water table, etc) which may affect decisions on the appropriate location of sites for borehole drilling.
• Cultural habits among the local population that might affect remediation interventions.
• Specific vulnerabilities, for example, children and disabilities and people with specific diseases to tailor interventions accordingly.
• Local capacity to lead or support the remediation interventions.
• Water availability in adequate quantity with a focus on the household level, school facility level, and health facility level, water quality from user perception and potential health risks
• Challenges associated with the collection and storage of water to support remediation exercise.
• Assess health-seeking behaviour of the target population.
• Assess management practices and gaps in water sources in the target locations.

1.    provide specific recommendations for the impact matrix and project activities.

2.    optimise the project concept, improve quality, and maximise impact and sustainability.

3. Methodology

The consultant will develop a comprehensive study methodology that will be reviewed by HFHZ Evaluation Review Team (ERT) during the inception phase. A mixed survey design is preferred for this study; with clear methods, techniques, processes and plans on how to measure variables under each outcome. The Consultant will develop a methodology in consideration of the information outlined in the ToRs to ensure accuracy and rigour. The choice of method must adhere to the measurement of variables under the study scope; and should answer all key study questions.

3.1 Study Population

The survey unit will be households in Kabwe district.

3.2 Sampling

The consultant will use appropriate sampling methods and techniques to determine the household sample size and qualitative samples where necessary. The sample will be distributed across the sampled seven townships to give a proper representation of the entire district population.

5. Deliverables

1.    Inception report.

2.    Draft household survey report.

3.    Final report. Two hard copies and a soft copy of the report of a maximum of 40 pages (including preliminary pages and annexes). The report should be structured as follows:

• Title page (title of assignment, author(s) of report)
• Table of contents
• List of tables and figures
• Executive summary (maximum 2 pages; summarizes ToR, methodology, findings, lessons, conclusions and recommendations)

1 Overview

1.1 Nation-level Analysis

1.1.1 Political / Economic overview

1.1.2 Social / Development overview

1.2 Rationale for Country and Area

1.2.1 Why Zambia?

1.2.2 Why Kabwe and Why those townships?

1.3 Project Thematic Area & Needs

1.3.1 National and Sub-national Development Plan/Strategies

1.3.2 SDGs

1.4 Project Area Map

1.5 Composition of Assessment Team

1.6 Assessment Timeline

2 Assessment Findings

2.1 Executive Summary

2.2 Baseline Assessment

2.3 Hydrogeological Assessment

2.4 Relevant Project

2.4.1 Projects implemented by HFHZ.

2.4.2 Projects implemented by other actors.

3 Others 3.1 Relevance to Habitat for Humanity Zambia

3.2 Illustrative on-the-ground Photos

1.    Dataset (excel or SPSS upload) with raw data in soft copy.

6. Hydrogeological, Soil & Geophysical Investigations

The project plans to drill new boreholes and upgrade existing hand pump boreholes to solar water schemes in public schools in the target areas.

The drilling of the new borehole works will include soil, hydrogeological and geophysical investigation— identification of borehole sites that have sufficient water aquifer, drilling of 8-inch internal diameter borehole, conducting of pump testing, water quality tests and equipping them with solar submersible pump and power system. Construction of water kiosks will include conducting water pump tests, water quality tests and equipping them with solar submersible pumps and power systems.

In addition to groundwater supply works the study shall need to conduct soil tests in the area to investigate and assess the levels of lead contamination in the ground and open water wells. Open water wells shall be tested for the presence of lead or lead dust particles.

6.1 The Objectives of the Hydrogeological Study

The purpose of the study is to:

1.    To describe the most affected townships including Kasanda, Makandanyama, Chowa, Mutwe Wansofu, and Makululu in Kabwe in terms of a baseline description of the geology, topography, soils, existing water points, and sanitation facilities.

2.    To describe the levels of lead contamination in the soils, surface running waters and groundwater i.e (existing open wells and boreholes).

3.    To describe the existing boreholes and dug wells’ hydrogeological conditions. The hydrogeological conditions being:

• Aquifer and borehole yield through conducting pump testing/drawdown analysis,
• Baseline water quality status i.e., physical, chemical, and biological status and pollution sources with proximity.
• Existing borehole and well structures information indicating the depth of borehole, type and condition of casing pipe, gravel pack status, sanitary seal and bottom plug status and soil collapsed sections if any.
• Source water protection: wellhead protection areas, significant drinking water threats and existing conditions/issues.
• Registration status with regulatory body such as Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) and number of beneficiaries on each existing point.

1.    For new borehole sites, to conduct a hydrogeological and geophysical investigation to describe the site’s aquifer properties (type, conductivity and transmissivity etc) aquifer groundwater quality (chemical, physical and biology) and quantity, site soil types and collapsing capability, groundwater levels, groundwater flow direction, and ecologically significant groundwater recharge areas.

2.    Perform a risk assessment of the sites’ aquifer contamination potential and also indicate possible sources of contamination.

3.    Recommendation from findings on which site to drill new boreholes and which existing boreholes/wells can be upgraded into water schemes.

4.    Recommendation from findings on which cost-effective water treatment method to be used for the existing and proposed new boreholes.

5.    Identification of nearest municipal water supply pipe and conduct pressure testing and provide water pressure information of the selected existing LWSSC water supply pipes lines to the proposed sites of the storage tanks.

6.2 Scope of Works

The Consultant is expected to use both secondary and primary data: secondary data will involve desk study of available information/data on soil test reports, existing boreholes and open wells, drill logs, reports, and maps. While primary data will be obtained by carrying out hydro geophysical measurements on existing boreholes, open wells and new sites for groundwater works and for municipal water supply-dependent areas, pipe pressure testing of the service lines shall be conducted. During the study, they will need to use the necessary hydrogeological surveying equipment, the instrument, which distinguishes between clays and freshwater by resistivity profiling and vertical electrical soundings. The outcome of the consultancy will be a detailed hydrogeological investigation report giving details of the findings and recommendations.

6.3 Approach of Works

The hydro-geological/geophysical investigations will be carried out in a multi-step approach:

1.    Desk study: Review of existing data for both of the pre-selected sites in Kasanda, Makandanyama, Chowa, Mutwe Wansofu, and Makululu water resource trends, topographical maps, satellite images, existing studies and borehole site investigations in the area, geological reports and maps (if available), borehole records and for municipal supply; periodic readings, water quality test reports and maps of the service lines to the selected areas etc.

2.    Hydro-geological fieldwork: Detailed reconnaissance survey of project-selected areas. (GPS co-ordinates/, water level measurements, water yield, condition of these boreholes, usage and performance where applicable) inspection of geological and structural characteristics of the investigated area; verification of existing data and findings.

3.    Pump tests and geophysical investigations, resistivity profiling and vertical electrical soundings.

4.    Water quality assessments, describing the physical, chemical and biological status of the water both ground and municipal water.

5.    Analysis of hydro-geological/geophysical data.

6.    Compilation, analysis, and evaluation of the gathered data and information.

7.    Site selection (new boreholes and existing for upgrading)

8.    Reporting with findings and recommendations

9.    For Municipal water supply earmarked areas, pressure testing of pipes shall be conducted to marry findings with the existing pressure readings availed during desk study.

6.4 Deliverables

A report containing not limited to:

• Introduction, review of previous studies i.e lead levels in soil, water and crop studies environmental background.
• Geology and hydrogeology (incl. inventory of boreholes and other water points);
• Methods of investigations, including geophysical techniques and water quality techniques.
• Aquifer properties (conductivity and transmissivity) and potential; sustainable yield & Water quality.
• Full condition existing boreholes (yield, water quality and level, well structure, etc) and the possibility of upgrading.
• Water quality results i.e (physical, chemical, and biological), levels of water toxicity, possible sources of pollution and recommendations on cost-effective water treatment methods.
• Identified water and soil lead pollution zones and efficient and effective measures to uptake to reduce to the exposure.
• New borehole sites proposed drilling sites, depth and soil formations with collapsing capability.
• proposed drilling method, and its applicability.
• Environmental impact and protection.
• Pressure readings for the existing water supply pipes from LWSSC to the selected areas.

Conclusion and recommendations will be given on the most suitable sites with viable existing boreholes for upgrade and equally for borehole drilling. The required depth, water quality, design and installation details, and other relevant aspects will be considered. The report should outline all field data, interpretations and justifications, hydrogeological evaluations, appropriate maps, diagrams, pump test, water quality test results, data plots and pressure test readings for Lwsgc pipes.

7. Timeframe

The household survey will take six weeks including survey planning, data collection, analysis, and reporting. The consultant is expected to start field data collection on the 15th of April 2024, complete all the processes and share report by 30th April 2024.

8. Application

Application with eligibility documents containing both the Technical and Financial Proposal (Inclusive of WHT) should be submitted by the deadline of 11:59 pm on 6th April 2024 by using the email Procurement@habitatzam.org.zm copying nchimunyah@habitatzam.org.zm and addressed to

The National Director,

Habitat for Humanity Zambia,

P.O Box 34987,

Plot 488a Twin Palms Road, Kabulonga, Lusaka.

Lusaka, Zambia.

Office phone: (+260) 211 251087.