Lack of Water in Zambia - Essay Example

Lack of Water in Zambia Introduction In the present world, access to clean and hygienic certified drinking water forms the vital need that many of the global population grapple with in their daily lives. In essence, a larger part of the global surface has water as one of the principal cover after land mass, but the focus is on water being fit for human or animal consumption. Further, most of the activities that man has undertaken require water to the extent that water may form a part of the energy production through electricity. However, the wider concept remains on whether a majority of the world population has access to clean water rather than water for any other designated purpose. On the contrary, economic analysts have foreseen water becoming the next sought after commodity after oil due to scarcity especially in arid areas of the world. Essentially, an arid land region is one characterized by intense water shortages that tend to facilitate slow development and nurturing of plant cover or animal life. Tentatively, they are mostly desert areas that surround the equator and commonly present in Africa. Subsequently, the purpose of this report will delve on the assessment of practical techniques for providing clean water to arid regions like Zambia. 2. Current situation in Zambia By 2010, a shocking 61% of the Zambian population had privileged access to improved water supply sources while 48% of the same population had access to sanitary options. Further, the challenges in water supply and access tended to vary depending on whether the population was in an urban setting or whether in rural places (Mc Intyre, 2012: 90). For instance, a UN survey indicated that at least 87% of the urban settler had access to water while only 48% of those residing in rural settings had access to the same. Additionally, access to water in the Zambian urban population indicates that 41% had running water or house connection while a significant 49% accessed water through water kiosks or vendors. Over time, the number of those accessing water through water kiosks has been on a steady increase trend while that of those enjoying house connections has been plummeting. However, the Zambian council for water and sanitation insist that the country has achieved water provision as a millennium development focus, but sanitation has proved elusive (Mutale, 2004). As many would say, lack of clean drinking water presents a number of significant implications that are mostly social especially for women and girls, a situation that is no different in Zambia. In turn, this raises the poverty levels within Zambia. 3. Consequences of water shortages in Zambia Annual precipitation levels in Zambia The graph above show the effect of percentage of class attendance throughout the year due to water shortage Arguably, the declining rainfall in the Zambian republic forms the basic reason as to why the country has continued to experience water scarcity. Two organization echo this sentiment, which are the System Network for Famine Early Warning and the world bank where they insist that the trend is worrying. Moreover, Zambia is a nation that has no access to the sea hence rendering this state as a landlocked country in the South African region. These two factors have facilitated the nation to have food insecurity as their government may not assure the over thirteen million Zambians with adequate food. According to water aid organization present in Zambia, for every three people, two have no access to clean water nor sanitation facilities. In turn, this has influenced the mortality rates for children within this country to be at an alarming ten thousand children annually. Ideally, the children tend to suffer from diarrhea and other sanitation related diseases like cholera, bilharzia among many others (Waters, 2008). These diseases tend to be water borne and treatable but access to quality health care facilitates an increase in the mortality rates. Sequentially, children and infants become prime victims of these illnesses as they are the most susceptible due to their underdeveloped immunity systems. Irrespective of the availability of enormous fresh water bodies, the Zambian rainfall index has plummeted in a period of at least thirty years as it cannot support plant cover neither is it suitable for drinking (Marques, 2010: 178). Additionally, the available water sources do not provide the required standard of clean water as it serves as the only alternative they have to water access. This has translated to serious health complications like malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies. 4. Impact of water shortages on Zambian population i. Education and social impact On the other hand, the availability of clean and safe drinking water translates to potential for the improvement of literacy levels that may not be the case for Zambian children. This mainly for the reason that the two have the responsibility of bringing water to their homes and villages. In essence, these women and girls walk for extensive distances in search of this commodity that many at times may not be fit for consumption by any living being. Subsequently, the school going girls end up losing concentration in school, hence raising the percentage of girls that stay out of school. This is because they juggle between their studies and being responsible for providing water for their communities and villages. In addition, these women and young girls travel miles on a daily basis searching for water for consumption that tends to lessen the amount of time for learning for the girls. In turn, this predicament has created a disparity in the enrollment of this gender in institutions of learning as their roles have confined to domestic chores and search for water. ii. Economic impact and cost Subsequently, this factor has lowered the economic potential of women in Zambia as they lack opportunities of leadership and employment. This makes them lack income through gainful employment due to their education levels. In essence, the average number of school days lost in pursuit of water by Zambian women would have been significant in ensuring that they break the cycle of poverty for themselves. The social and economic participation that women would have contributed to the building of the economy applies in an area that lacks professionalism. This in turn increases the number of impoverished Zambians as many tend to associate poverty to lack of clean water (IMF, 2007). In essence, this aspect led economists in to coining the water poverty trap concept for most nations in Sub Saharan Africa to mean the poverty cycle brought by lack of clean water. Additionally, water cost levels are high for those that have to buy the commodity hence creating a poverty cycle (Coorey, 2008: 23). iii. Technology impact Over time, technological improvements in the agricultural sector have facilitated food security for many of the developing populations through irrigation (World Bank, 2006). This is to mean that the lack of clean water may have a direct impact on development that would include poor infrastructural progress of a nation. In essence, this situation is no different for Zambians as areas that have poor water availability attract minimal investment potential. Some of the technological aspects include internet connectivity and other profit making technologies. This will in turn inhibit the establishment of industries as they tend to rely on heavy consumption of water for the continued running of their industries. The lack of investor interest attracts minimal technological advancement as investors repel the idea of investing where there would be a minimal return on investment. Subsequently, the employment capabilities dwindle hence limiting the productivity potential of Zambia hence creating alarming levels of food insecurity assurance to the population. Therefore, other than health and social matters lack of water may hinder technological investment by foreign investors in Zambia. 5. Suitable water provision methods Despite the heavy international aid to Zambia in relation to enhancement of water provision services, Zambia still languishes in intense water shortages within their population. However, the Water and Sanitation Council of Zambia has been critical in ensuring that the millennium development goals in relation to global hygienic water access through a variety number of channels. For instance, the Council has established a number of water vending kiosks within the localities of the population that the locals do manage. In essence, the number of house connections for Zambians has decreased drastically hence paving way for an increase in the numbers of water kiosks (IMF; 2005). On the contrast, the provision of water is through registered individuals that work under direct supervision of from water and utility arms of Zambian authorities. In order to maximize on clean water access, the kiosks buy piped water then store it for their customers to access when they need it. A twenty liter gerican of water retails at an affordable one US cent. By 2008, there existed about a hundred and seventy water vending kiosks in Zambia that provided hygienically proven water to a remarkable two hundred thousand people. Further, non governmental organizations have come have also been significant in the sinking of water wells in rural areas to ensure that women do not travel long distances to access the precious commodity. This is cost effective as the water provision through this source is free as compared to the urban areas where water access is at a cost. In essence, this attribute has led to water availability to being a national heritage as the poor are also able to tap into this needful commodity. On the other hand, water access has enabled an increase in the number of school going children as various institutions have come out strongly in supporting this noble cause for the Zambian children. In order for the Zambian population to have a secure water future, the government needs to put up more infrastructure on water storage and treatment facilities across the countries (Mutale, 2004). This would be helpful in ensuring that they curb water shortages and reduce water diseases born out of the use of unhygienic water. 6. Recommendations In order to effectively counter water shortages in Zambia, a number of considerable factors have to come in to fruition. For one, the government of Sudan needs to accept that rainfall can longer sustain their population as the levels of experienced rainfall has dwindled over time. However, the little that they get should have proper storage and holding areas in order to prevent wastage. In essence, many of those living in rural set ups lack water harvesting and storage facilities hence making the little rain water drain into the open. Therefore, emphasis should be on water conservation rather than wastage as a way of preventing the perils associated with this scarcity. Additionally, the government of Zambia should ensure that a substantive part of the arid region within their borders have water presence potential through the drilling of water points to curb water deficits. This would be crucial in minimizing the number of infant mortality rates reported from consumption of unhygienic water. If these two principal factors find a way of implementation by the Zambian government, then chances are that the country will have water security among their Sub Saharan counterparts hence reducing the living costs for their population. Bibliography Coorey, S. 2008. Zambia: 2007 Article IV consultation : staff report, staff statement, public information notice on the Executive Board discussion, and statement by the Executive Director for Zambia. Washington, D.C., International Monetary Fund. International Monetary Fund. 2007. Zambia Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. Washington, D.C., International Monetary Fund. http://proxy.library.carleton.ca/login?url=http://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/IMF002/08665-9781451841305/08665-9781451841305/08665-9781451841305.xml. Marques, R. C., & Simoes, P. 2010. Regulation of water and wastewater services: an international comparison. London, IWA Pub. McIntyre, C. 2012. Zambia. Chalfont St Peter, Bucks, England, Bradt Travel Guides. Mutale, E. 2003. The management of urban development in Zambia. Burlington, VT, Ashgate. Waters, B. (2009). Zambia in pictures. Minneapolis, MN, Twenty-First Century Books. World Bank. 2006. Reengaging in agricultural water management: challenges and options. Washington, DC, World Bank. Read More