Water scarcity, shortage, or stress affects over 2 billion people globally. More than 80 countries have water shortages with 1 billion people lacking enough water to meet their basic needs 90 (Alois, 2007). Countries in the sub-Saharan Africa are the most affected, with a lack of access to clean water. According to a 2012 conference on "Water Scarcity in Africa: Issues and Challenges", “it is estimated that by 2030, 75 million to 250 million people in Africa will be living in areas of high water stress, which will likely displace anywhere between 24 million and 700 million inhabitants as conditions become increasingly unlivable”. This paper aims at discussing the cause and possible solutions to the water crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Due to the changing climatic conditions, water resources have drastically reduced. The effects of global warming increase the levels of water stress. Changing rainfall patterns affect the water basins as the increased temperatures cause water loss. The African people are dependent on rain, hence vulnerable to dangerous climatic conditions and drought.
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Economic growth is a major contributing factor to water stress in the sub-Saharan Africa. With 17 river basins shared by 35 countries, the demand for water is high. Development leads to an increased population that needs enough water supplies for survival. Hence, water scarcity is inevitable due to urbanization.
According to the International Decade for Action: Water for life 2005-2015, water resources coverage, in sub-Saharan Africa are low, at only 60%. These statistics make it worse with high rates of water pollution. Industrial waste is dumped in rivers and waterways without minding its effects. Oil spills also leave damages that affect generations.
Deforestation limits the amount of rainfall experienced. The sub-Saharan Africa population depends on rain for agriculture. Due to the interruption of water cycles, people in this region sell charcoal to make a living. High population growth also leads Deforestation as there is land scarcity.
There are current and future solutions to the challenges that have affected the African populace. Innovative and low-cost solutions are underway. Non-profit organizations have helped the population in digging wells and supplying them with pump systems like hand pumps to avoid the water scarcity.
Water is integral to reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), charitable organization and the United Nations (UN) have created platforms where investments made create more water resources, (International Decade for Action: water for life 2005-2015). Investments focus on building water projects, like digging wells, rainwater collection systems, water filtration, constructing of dams, among others.
Despite low rainfall in the Sub-Sahara, efforts to reduce the high water demands are underway. The national and local governments are teaching their residents other farming techniques like permaculture, reducing the reliance and wastage of water in agriculture.
The governments manage most water resources in Africa, and due to the various responsibilities, it is hard to concentrate on the water scarcity issue. Privatization of distribution and water collection improves the infrastructure used. Conservation technologies are required, and due to lack of money, the government would find it difficult to set up.
In conclusion, water scarcity is evident globally. With continuous climatic changes and wastefulness, the shortage affects a large population. It is paramount that the world takes care of water as humans can not survive or live without.
References
Alois, P., (April 2007). Global Water Crisis Overview. http://www.arlingtoninstitute.org/wbp/global-water-crisis/441. Retrieved 27 November 27, 2016
Archive: Conference on Water Scarcity in Africa: Issues and Challenges. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
International Decade for Action: Water for Life 2005-2015. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
