The question posed in this paper is: why is the concept of water demand management rarely implemented on the ground? To answer this question the paper presents data on the water supply situation in the City of Mutare, Zimbabwe. It describes Mutare's water infrastructure, the patterns of water use during the period 1980-2000; and our attempts to identify and quantify water losses in the system. Suggestions are made how these losses can be reduced, which would involve relatively modest resources. The question is then asked why these measures have not yet been taken. The paper contrasts this to the Pungwe scheme, a new water supply project of huge proportions which was conceived and implemented fairly quickly. The fact that water is a vital yet finite and fugitive resource explains why powerful water coalitions may emerge between engineers, financiers and politicians. It is the experience from Mutare and elsewhere that such coalitions tend to favour supply-side solutions to water scarcity. For effective adoption of water demand management it is essential to acknowledge this political dimension. As a strategy it is suggested that: (a) stakeholders should be better informed about alternative solutions to water problems; (b) a new generation of engineers trained in integrated water resources management is needed with the skills. to carefully study the problem definition before rushing to solutions; and (c) financiers should be made aware of the relevance and economic rationale of demand management solutions. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
