This report’s main purpose is to analyse the strategies to improve clean water availability in African countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa geographically consist of all countries in Africa except Egypt, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, Sudan, and Western Sahara. This region holds some of the greatest challenges regarding water scarcity and sanitation (WHO=UNICEF 2008 cited in Montgomery, Bartram & Elimelech 2009, p. 1018), moreover, there is very limited amount of data recorded on the continent, which hampered the progress of developing accessibility of clean water (Vörösmarty et al. 2005, p. 230). Mortalities caused by diarrhoea are highest there compared to other regions and almost half of the population has poor
…show more content…
Likewise, even though the remaining area of the African continent is relatively humid, intra-annual variability coupled with the issue of global warming might decrease water provision in the region (Vörösmarty et al. 2005, pp. 233-234). Rainfall in this region is very unpredictable, and consequently results in yearly droughts and seasonal dry spells (Rockstrom 2000, p. 234). Because more than sixty percent of Africans have to depend on scarce water resources, African countries agreed to apportion international water basins with one another to fulfil their national demand (Vörösmarty et al. 2005, pp. 233; African Development Bank 1994 cited in Mwanza 2005, p. 99). In order for the international water basins to be run effectively, each nation needs to coordinate and manage this resource together (Mwanza 2005, p. …show more content…
Groundwater Management
Due to the dry nature of most of sub-Saharan Africa, the drought resilient nature of groundwater makes it a highly valuable source of water. The drawback to groundwater is that especially in arid regions, groundwater can only be regenerated when there is extensive precipitation. However, there has not been enough developments in groundwater infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa. To improve the agricultural sector, subsoil water can be used to irrigate cultivated lands. (Foster, Tuinhof & Steenbergen 2012, pp. 359-361)
Professionally managed community based
Likewise, even though the remaining area of the African continent is relatively humid, intra-annual variability coupled with the issue of global warming might decrease water provision in the region (Vörösmarty et al. 2005, pp. 233-234). Rainfall in this region is very unpredictable, and consequently results in yearly droughts and seasonal dry spells (Rockstrom 2000, p. 234). Because more than sixty percent of Africans have to depend on scarce water resources, African countries agreed to apportion international water basins with one another to fulfil their national demand (Vörösmarty et al. 2005, pp. 233; African Development Bank 1994 cited in Mwanza 2005, p. 99). In order for the international water basins to be run effectively, each nation needs to coordinate and manage this resource together (Mwanza 2005, p. …show more content…
Groundwater Management
Due to the dry nature of most of sub-Saharan Africa, the drought resilient nature of groundwater makes it a highly valuable source of water. The drawback to groundwater is that especially in arid regions, groundwater can only be regenerated when there is extensive precipitation. However, there has not been enough developments in groundwater infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa. To improve the agricultural sector, subsoil water can be used to irrigate cultivated lands. (Foster, Tuinhof & Steenbergen 2012, pp. 359-361)
Professionally managed community based