Providing Fresh Water to Arid Regions: Feasibility Analysis
It is essential to adopt new water technologies in the world's arid regions due to the vital importance of water as a life resource. Freshwater is indispensable for multiple uses such as household needs, farming and industrial applications. The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (2003) acknowledges the access to fresh water as a fundamental human right. Water scarcity has been increasingly alarming, especially in areas susceptible to droughts. These areas make up one-third of our planet's landmass and are mainly located in dry and semi-dry zones (Smallwood, 2011).
The joint initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Italy's Ministry for the Environment and Territory (IMET), known as "The Water Programme for Africa, Arid and Water Scarce Zones", aims to improve water management in regions dealing with water scarcity. The int
...ention is to protect vulnerable ecosystems that are prone to potential degradation due to changes in their hydrological patterns, which could negatively impact the quality of their scarce fresh water resources. Importantly, groundwater usually serves as a primary accessible source of water in these arid areas while surface waters often witness brief but intense rain occurrences called flash floods.
The purpose of this report is to evaluate the practicality of different methods used to supply fresh water in dry areas like Africa. It will commence by exploring the extent of this problem, then proceed with an in-depth comparison and assessment of two popular water provision techniques in Africa - desalination and dams. In conclusion, appropriate actions will be suggested.
2.0 Background
Water goes beyond being a mere physical entity; it possesses social, spiritual, political, and environmental implication
within each society. As such, addressing the water crisis symbolizes advancement across these facets.
Nations that don't have constant rivers or dependable fresh water sources face considerable challenges in achieving sustainable development, which plays a crucial role in alleviating poverty and hunger. This holds particularly true for inhabitants of dry regions who are extremely susceptible to socio-economic shifts. Regrettably, even in this day and age, a sizeable population lacks fundamental sanitation amenities, leading to countless fatalities each year due to illnesses associated with insufficient water supply, hygiene and sanitation. As per The Water Project's statistics, nearly one-fifth of all deaths among children below five years old is linked to water-borne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea and malaria.
According to current predictions (UNWWAP, 2003), more than 20 developing countries, primarily located in Africa and the Middle East, will experience a water shortage by 2025. Specifically, it is anticipated that water problems will significantly affect Africa, with approximately 300 million people facing water shortages (UNWWAP, UNESCO 2003). The University of Cape Town conducted a study revealing that climate change has had a substantial impact on Africa, evidenced by the occurrence of rain shortages and the subsequent problems they have caused.
The BBC reported in 2011 that a drought lasting three months has put over 3 million people at risk of starvation in East Africa. For the majority of Africans, particularly those living in rural locations, agriculture is their principal means of livelihood. According to Donkor (2003), approximately 10% of the world's total freshwater resources or about 3,950 km3 are found within Africa as internal renewable freshwater resources annually. This proportion aligns closely with Africa's
global population share which stands at around 12%. Consequently, the main water source for seventy-five percent of Africans comes from groundwater.
In Africa, the pressing issue of water scarcity is exacerbated by the fact that a mere 15% of its total water supply comes from groundwater. This problem primarily stems from inefficient use of available resources; despite having nearly 4 trillion cubic meters of accessible water annually, only an insignificant 4% is utilized. The situation is further worsened due to a lack of technical understanding and financial constraints prevalent across the continent. Remarkably, out of all continents, Africa has the greatest number -19 out of 25- countries lacking access to clean drinking water. Therefore, efficient management and governance over African water resources should be prioritized for future sustainability. To fulfill rising water demands, alternative techniques such as dam construction and desalination could be considerable options. As per ICOLD (International Commission on Large Dams), large dams are classified as those with at least a height of 15 meters or more. Approximately 1,300 mid to large-sized dams are sprinkled around Africa, almost forty percent being located in South Africa alone. These were mainly built within the recent three decades in response to growing demand spurred by population increase.
In Africa, the majority of dams are built to support irrigation (52%) and supply water to local municipalities (20%). Despite only 6% of these dams being constructed primarily for power production, hydroelectric energy accounts for over 80% of total electricity generation in 18 African nations. The World Commission on Dams reports that a mere 1% of African dams were designed for flood control purposes. Considerable pride is
associated with Sudan's new Merowe dam, which had a construction cost of $1 billion and is endorsed by President Omar al-Bashir. This dam will generate 1,250 megawatts of electricity and form a lake that stretches over 108 miles above the Nile's fourth cataract. It's crucial when considering dam projects not only to assess their technical feasibility but also their economic practicality, social approval, and environmental impact. Desalination technology presents an alternative solution to tackling water scarcity in Africa as it has evolved enough to offer reliable water supplies at costs similar to traditional sources.
According to UNESCWA, desalination techniques present viable solutions to alleviate pressure on freshwater resources, but they should consistently be considered as just one part of a comprehensive water administration strategy that collaborates with water preservation initiatives. South Africa is thinking about implementing an extensive desalination plan for its coastal cities. The deputy director-general of national water resources and infrastructure, Cornelius Ruiters, reveals that at present less than 1% of their water is sourced from desalination; however, their goal is to elevate this rate to approximately 7% and 10% by the year 2030.
Our dependence on surface water is substantial, yet its availability is finite. Hence, it's essential to broaden our water resource base. Cape Town and Ethekwini (Durban) are currently considering desalination as an option, but the choice of specific technology hasn't been decided upon yet. Ruiters underlined the necessity of examining all possibilities, taking into account financial and technological factors, and drawing lessons from nations like the Middle East, Singapore, and China that have experience in this field. The potential for public-private collaborations should not be disregarded either.
(Global Water Intelligence, 2009) 4.0 Final Thoughts and Suggestions
For optimal utilization of freshwater resources, it is crucial to set up an appropriate policy and management framework. This requires the execution of measures that bolster governance, augment knowledge and information systems (including data collection and assessment monitoring), strengthen human and institutional capacities, establish Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) systems with focus on catchment areas and basins as prime units of management, as well as promote gender inclusiveness. The effectiveness of these strategies largely hinges on the concerted efforts and cooperation among various stakeholders operating at multiple levels - from local to sub-regional and regional stages.
Initiatives should be directed towards improving the chances of fulfilling immediate needs in Africa, which include access to pure drinking water, sanitation facilities, irrigation systems, and hydropower. The matter of funding is a significant concern that requires ongoing focus in Africa.
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