Water Crisis in Developing Countries - Causes, Consequences, and Possible Solutions - Coursework Example

Introduction Water is a basic resource for everyone’s wellbeing since it is required in undertaking almost all human activities such as domestic use for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing and cleaning, agricultural use for irrigation and for industrial activities. Clean water is essential for drinking as consuming contaminated water is harmful to human health. Globally, water sources such as wells, lakes and rivers are diminishing at an alarming rate. This water problem is mostly caused by anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, population growth, over-extraction as well as pollution of water sources. The problem of water scarcity is quite intense in developing countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America where only a small portion of the population has access to clean drinking water. I. Causes The water crisis is caused by several interlinked factors such as population increase, over-extraction for irrigation, industrialization and destruction of water catchment areas like forests. 1- Growth in population Firstly, water crisis in developing countries is caused by uncontrolled growth in human population which exerts pressure on existing water sources. According to a June 2007 discussion draft paper by Khatri & Vairavamoorthy, water scarcity is a growing problem in Africa with over 20 countries in Africa projected to be water stressed by 2025 whereas in India it is projected that due to population pressure on existing water resources, India will have the largest number of persons with a water problem (Dzikus, 2001 & Singh, 2000 in Khatri & Vairavamoorthy, 2007). Rapid population increase in developing countries consequently leads to unplanned urbanization that leaves most of the population living in informal settlements where access to adequate clean drinking water is close to impossible (UK Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, 2002). However, rapid population growth can be checked through the governments of these countries improving reproductive health care in health institutions to include family planning methods. If the citizens did not obey, then there should be fine. Furthermore, limiting babies is a useful way to save money. 2- Irrigation Secondly, water crisis is being aggravated by over-harvesting for use in the agricultural sector especially for irrigation. Most African countries especially those of sub-Saharan Africa as well countries like Mexico, China, Pakistan and India have a high demand for water for irrigation which accounts for 95 per cent of water use (World Water Day 2007). These countries face an acute water scarcity and hence “need to focus on the efficient use of all water sources like groundwater, surface water and rainfall and on water allocation strategies that maximize the economic and social returns to limited water resources.” (World Water Day 2007). This means that governments should not just watch the water running over. It should use that water for agricultural stuff. It is essential that developing countries’ governments come up with integrated water resource management plans so as to ensure that there is a balanced distribution of water in all sectors of the economy which will ensure sustainable use of water resources (Ramakrishna &Babu, n.d) Over irrigation should be taken as a major problem. If we did not consider it, in the future we will have to drink unhealthy water. 3- Industrialization The third cause of water crisis is industrialization which affects water resources both in quality and quantity. Through extraction of water for industrial activities such as manufacture of substances, water quantity decreases if the extraction is unchecked whereas industrial pollution of water sources affects water quality which in turn leads to water scarcity since contaminated water is not fit for human consumption. Untreated industrial effluents released in water sources like rivers and lakes causes water pollution hence reducing the amount of water available for use (Ramakrishna &Babu, n.d). According to Grail Research (2009), in India, “Industrial water consumption is expected quadruple between 2000 and 2050; by 2050 industrial water consumption will reach 18% of total annual water consumption, up from just 6% in 2000.” Policies and institutions for implementing water management policies should be put in place to curb industrial water pollution. In addition, industries should ensure that they treat their effluent before releasing it into water sources. Implementation of water management policies will lead to proper use of water resources as well as adequate distribution of water especially in informal settlements. 4. Destruction of water catchment Clearing of forests and reclamation of wetlands to create land for settlement and agricultural purposes is a contributing factor to water scarcity in developing countries. Forests act as water catchment areas and their destruction leads water scarcity. Siltation of rivers and lakes due to reduced vegetation cover contributing to soil erosion causes shrinking of water resources. Wetlands also act as water reservoirs and their reclamation for agricultural or settlement purposes eventually lead to water scarcity. For example, the massive felling of trees is rendering almost half of South Africa’s land bare and at the verge of desertification (Binns, Illgner & Nel, 2001). To alleviate the problem of deforestation, afforestation and reforestation programmes should be carried out especially in water catchment areas. Policies on protection of forests and wetlands should also be formulated and implemented. Reforestation will prevent soil erosion that causes siltation of rivers and lakes whereas protection of wetland will ensure that water reservoirs are maintained in dry seasons. II. Effects 1- Impacts on human health The global water crisis has severe implications especially in developing countries. The most severe of all is impacts on human health through contraction of water-related and water-borne diseases like dysentery, typhoid and cholera. According to statistics by Water.org (2009), “3.575 million people die each year from water-related disease; 43% of water-related deaths are due to diarrhea; 84% of water-related deaths are in children ages 0 – 14; and 98% of water related deaths occur in the developing world.” Moreover, deaths related to water diseases are more as compared to those caused by war and most hospitalizations in the world at any given time are due to water-related diseases (Water.org, 2009). These deaths can however be avoided by distribution of clean drinking water especially in informal settlements by both the governments and non-governmental organisations. This will ensure that dirty water diseases such as cholera and typhoid are eliminated. 2- Conflicts and wars. Water scarcity also leads to major water-related conflicts and wars among communities and nations who share common water sources. An example is the Nile which flows through Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt which is predicted to cause conflicts in the future between these countries if population growth rates in these countries remains unchecked (UK Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, 2002. Most inter-communal conflicts in Africa especially among pastoralist communities are fuelled by water scarcity. Conflict management strategies should be implemented in resource based conflict areas as well as encouraging sharing of resources between different communities. These conflict resolution strategies will encourage cooperation between conflicting communities (Irna van der Molen & Hildering, 2005) 3- Food and water scarcity. Additionally, food insecurity in developing countries is closely linked to water scarcity. In the Arab world, water scarcity causes a stress on future food production (Hamdy, n.d). Famine is a common natural disaster in African countries especially the sub-Saharan African countries. This problem has been made worse by the escalating problem of water insufficiency as these countries receive little rainfall and have not invested much in irrigation agriculture. Food security in developing countries can be achieved through planting of drought resistant crops as well ensuring that irrigation is done at times when evaporation is least especially in the early morning and late evening. These strategies will increase agricultural yields sufficient to feed the large populations. 4 – Effects on economy. Moreover, the global water crisis is affecting the economy sector of most countries since water is an essential resource in economic development. The Industrial sector as well as the agricultural sector relies on water for production and manufacture of goods. In industries, water is largely used as a solvent and in other cases it is used for cooling and cleaning purposes. In the agricultural sector, water is used for irrigation and for drinking by livestock. The backbone of Most of the developing countries’ economies is on agriculture as statistics show that in countries like China, India, Mexico, Thailand, North Africa and the Middle East, farmers largely depend on irrigation based agriculture (UK Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, 2002). The resource use principle or re-use, recycle and reduce should be applied in industrial and commercial use of water where industries should take the initiative of recycling as well as reducing the amount of water they use in the manufacture of goods. This will in turn result into protection of water resources from drying up. III. What can we do to help solving water crisis? Water scarcity in developing countries can be mitigated through use of several measures both at the local and national level. To begin with, governments should come up with an integrated water resources management plan that encompasses policies and structures for controlling the use of water as well as protecting water resources from pollution and misuse. This plan should come up with measures for all sectors as follows: Agricultural productivity measures to improve the use of water in irrigation as well as use of alternative water sources like rain; Industrial efficiency measures; Domestic and municipal efficiency measures; and Supply measures that ensure adequate and equitable distribution of water ( The 2030 Water Resources Group, 2009).all these measures are aimed at reduced water consumption through adoption of water saving technologies. In addition, institutions for managing water resources should be strengthened so that they can carry out their duties effectively. IV. Water in the Future If unchecked, the water crisis in developing countries will worsen. According to the 2030 Water Resources Group (2009), water sources such as rivers and lakes in countries like India, South Africa, China, Mexico, Brazil and countries of north Africa will face severe deficits if appropriate measures are not taken since demand for water is projected to increase as times goes on. Furthermore, climate change is also going to worsen the global situation of water crisis since most countries especially in Africa and Middle East are faced with the problem of desertification which is being escalated by global climate change. Therefore, it is important that a global action is taken to solve the issue of climate change by adopting cleaner production technologies, restoring of indigenous vegetation cover as well as recycling, re-using and reducing the use of raw materials. It is also important for developing countries to establish institutions for implementing water resources management policies. Conclusion From the above discussion it is evident that water crisis is a serious problem in developing countries that is caused by rapid population increase that puts pressure on water resources; over-extraction of water for irrigation; industrial use and pollution; and destruction of water catchment areas such as forests. Moreover, water crisis in developing countries has severe implications on the populations of these countries. Food insecurity, water-based conflicts, health problems emanating from water-related diseases as well as economic recession are some of the effects of water scarcity. However, sustainable water use through adoption of an integrated water resources management plan can be achieved. Governments and non-governmental organizations can join hands in implementing policies on water use and also establishing water resources management institutions. Bibliography Binns J.A, Illgner P.M & Nel E.L (2001). Water shortage, deforestation and development: South Africa’s working for water programme. Retrieved from http://planet.uwc.ac.za/nisl/invasives/Assignment1/Binns.pdf Grail Research (2009). Water –The India Story. Retrieved from www.grailresearch.com Hamdy A (n.d). Water Crisis and Food Security in The Arab World: The Future Challenges. Retrieved from http://www.gwpmed.org/files/IWRM-Libya/Atef%20Hamdy%20AWC.pdf Irna van der Molen & Hildering A (2005). Water: cause for conflict or co-operation?Journal on Science and World Affairs,1( 2). Khatri, K.B & Vairavamoorthy K (2007). Challenges for Urban Water Supply And Sanitation In The Developing Countries: Discussion Draft Paper for the session on Urbanization. Retrieved from www.unesco-ihe.org Ramakrishna V & Babu B.V (n.d). Fresh Water Depletion – A Crisis: Causes & Remedies. Retrieved from http://discovery.bits-pilani.ac.in/~bvbabu/FrshwaterE&P98.pdf The 2030 Water Resources Group (2009). Charting our water future: Economic frameworks to inform decision-making. Retrieved from http://www.euwi.net/document/financing/charting-our-water-future-economic-frameworks-inform-decision-making UK Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (2002). Postnote: Access to Water In Developing Countries. Retrieved from http://www.parliament.uk/documents/post/pn178.pdf Water.org (2009). The Global Water Crisis. Retrieved from http://water.org/learn-about-the-water-crisis/facts/ World Water Day. 2007. Coping with water scarcity - Challenge of the twenty-first century. Retrieved from www.worldwaterday07.org Read More