Desert Urbanization and the Challenges of Water Sustainability - Case Study Example

SUSTAINBILITY OF DRINKING WATER INDUSTRY IN KENYA Students Name: Institutional Affiliation: Department Course: Date: Introduction Kenya is faced with the problem of minimal water to have rain water collected and stored. She has faced problems like drought, water pollution and floods in the years before. These challenges and others have given chance the citizens to come up with innovative capabilities in the region thus making that weakness into strength. Water is one of the core factors of sustainable development and plays a fundamental role postulating socio-economic development, ecosystems that are vital for human habitat and survival. Actually one of the Millennium Development Goals is to ensure that every country has enough water for its citizenry. Water has many uses; to reduce the world burden of diseases, rejuvenate your health, and the productivity among the populations. According to Moe et al. 2006, the lack of water has impaired key services and production viz the absence of climate makes life loose meaning. Water is a critical link among the human society, climate and the environment. Water can be defined as finite and a resource that is hard to replace and more a critical component for the sustainment of the human being wellness. If sound plans are adopted directed towards proper management water can be recycled. If the trend gets out of hand, it is expected that two-thirds of the globe population will be pushed to live in areas where water is stress. Sustainable development ascribes to that progress that is designed to meet the demands at present without having to compromise the future ability of generations to come and their own needs. The sustainable development is tasked to poise three main pillars that are intertwined to human wellness; socio-political, economic and environmental needs. The idea is keen in putting some weight and emphasis on sound measures that accelerates socio and economic development and in particular to those living in developing countries while at the same time fulfilling the need of observing environment integrity and ensuring it is sustained for the coming generations. The sustainable development is keen in coming up with policies that will spur development in the water industry in Kenya in 2060. The issues and policies that are adopted today have great impact on the sustainability programs that will go on to the future of 2060. As such, there is need to have plans underway that will protect and assure the Kenyans of water availability now and for the future generations viz a viz vision 2060. One of the MDG is to ensure that there is sustainable development as to the availability of water now and in the years to come. The MDG has pioneered to have sustainable development on water as one of its goals. Kenya has not been left out in the search and availability of water for the generations to come. Sustainability Challenges of drinking water industry in Kenya It is estimated that, in every one minute there is a Kenyan who is in need of clean and safe water to drink. Clean drinking water has been one of the issues that every Kenya feels should be addressed and dealt with amicably. Kenya is a third world country and has is listed among countries that are on the forefront in lack of clean drinking water. Research indicates the following as the main causes of lack of clean water; i. Inadequate annual renewed clean and fresh water source per capita that guarantee clean drinking water. ii. There is high need of drinking water by the population and for other uses and the reduction of natural sources thus increasing that gap of water need and meeting the demand of water. iii. The natural resources like lakes, rivers and aquifers are being shared by Kenya and her neighbors thus creating some economic shortage and non-fulfillment of the need to have clean drinking water in Kenya. More so, the sharing with her neighbors has led to lack of security and development of such resources for the sustainability of the future generations to come. Key challenges that Kenya face on the search of safe drinking 1. Growing Population Kenya is a third world country as it still has development plans underway. She is flexing her muscles to grow and meet her demands. She is experience fast population growth. There is need to have a country that has everything for her subjects, water is one of the fundamental factor in human life. As such, there is need for Kenya to have enough water for her population to quench their thirst. Research shows that, Kenya population increase every year and the resources are still not expanding. Any increase of population means and increase need of clean drinking water and those for home use. Kenya population doesn’t only need water to drink but also to secure her food and develop her industries. This is one of the challenges that has affected growth, sustainability development and reduce the per capita availability of water. The population in Kenya is growing at rate of 2.7 percent annual change according to the 2013 statistics. This puts Kenya on the 5 top gainers of population growth. This has impacted on the availability and sustainment of drinking water industry (MacDonald, 2010). The growing population in Kenya has been affected by the crisis of lack of clean drinking that has resulted from the population overusing the scarce resource of land thus reducing the water surface in Kenya. Human activities are the one that should be blame for the high or increasing lack of clean water in Kenya. For example, Mau Forest which is the main water catchment area has received high influx of human activities thus reducing the flow of clean water. This is one of the key watershed areas in Kenya that has been encroached by the large populations looking for inhabitation and livelihoods. 2. Water Scarcity Actually, water scarcity alludes to the unavailability of enough clean water sources that can perfectly meet the growing demands of the water use in a region. Kenya has not be left out as it among the water scarcity countries. Water scarcity hinders the need to have a sustainable water development that will gather for the coming generations. This is one of the challenges that impacts negatively on the drinking water industry in Kenya. Kenya has a natural bequest of water that is fresh which at this time limited to the yearly renewed fresh water supply which stands at 540 cubic meters per capita annually. From above information, it is true that Kenya falls under the umbrella of water scarce country. This development has impacted negatively on the sustainable drinking water as for 2060. Research indicates that, 2.8 billion people around the world in a span of one month lack water and out of which 1.2 billion are unable to get clean drinking water. This is a menace that has impaired the vision 2060 of Kenya being sustainable in water and well developed to offer drinking water to her citizenry. 3. Poor leadership and Governance There is need to have a strong and performing government that poise the needs of the people. Kenya is one of the countries in the world that has fallen short of having credible leaders who mean what they say and do what the people want. Non- tolerance to corruption has affected the development and sustainable water in Kenya. 4. Climate variability and water resources Degradation Kenya is a country that has been hit by numerous droughts. This drought has negative effects on the availability of water (Gober, 2010).Most of the resources have been under human infestation thus reducing the earth cover resulting to frequent droughts. Resource degradation has resulted to depletion of key water resources thus leading to lack of clean water in Kenya. The climate change in Kenya has kept on changing leading to some periods experiencing lack of water thus reducing the livelihoods and postulating the effect of lack of sustainable development in drinking water industry in Kenya 2060. Some of the resulting effects of climate variability and environment degradation include; i. Degradation of key water catchment areas ii. The drying of rivers iii. The levels of lakes falling beyond required levels iv. High siltation levels in dams and pans designed for hydro power and supply of water v. Water quality getting deteriorated There has been varied temperature change in Kenya and this has impacted negatively on sustainability and development of drinking water industry in Kenya 2060. 5. Storage and Infrastructure Investment Kenya has an unpredictable water pattern thus the need to have more investment on the storage and infrastructure. As such, there have been minimal contributions towards ensuring that the country has enough storage facilities thus impacting negatively in the sustainable development and vision 2060. The capacity to store water in Kenya has been defined by its low levels pose by lack of meaningful investments that helps in storing water especially those periods of low rainfall levels. Indeed, there has been a declining scenario as to the number of water reservoirs has been exhausted thus limiting the idea of sustainable development. The human activities have impacted negatively to the water catchment areas. This has reduced the clean water content in Kenya. 6. Climate Change Issues of climate change impacts the vision of a sustainment of drinking water in Kenya industry. Global warming directly affects freshwater demand and more so the quality. In case of frequent global warming the earth surface is reduce thus leaving it bear which at end reduces the quality of drinking water. Ground water are those that get the impact of global warming as run-off water which at end will cause water born diseases. Human life is at risk if there is lack of quality drinking water. In addition, the climate change impacts negatively on the ecosystem as it endanger those living in water thus resulting to low quality of drinking water (McCool, et al. 2004). PESTLE Analysis This actually accentuates an acronym which helps to give a spot check on the overall environment factors that will postulate the success of the plan (Dcosta, 2011). Kenya is a good country with the best political system that embraces conducive environment to undertake a project. This will impacts positively to the water industry as the set aims set are strengthen through a strong system of government. Kenya is a hot bed of investment for the reason that her economic is strongly gaining and it as attracted the attention of many investor. This will help in ensuring that the plan gets the right funding. Kenya is made of diverse culture that is rooted in the conservation of water sources and showing care to the environment. This assures that the plan will receive high appreciation from the cultures and communities in Kenya. Technology is trending in most of the countries and Kenya through her government have invested in modernize water harvesting methods. This will keep the dream of sustainable water come true through providing the right technology put in use. Projection of sustainability challenges There is need to have programs that will help in curbing the above mention sustainability challenges and coming up with formidable solutions. Proper analysis is needed to be done so as to ensure that the drinking water in Kenya is up to mark. So as to reverse the state above and bring on board new trend there is need of erratic issues that need to be upholded; i. There is need of enough investment attached to capacity building of the water sources and reservoirs, and come up with high and sound water management and resources. ii. Demonstration of sound management attached to water catchment areas. iii. Building of dams and the initiation of building capacity on groundwater, this will help increase water storage power. iv. Come up with effective measures that are directed towards reducing pollution via proper policy that adheres to proper waste disposal mechanism. v. Come up with judicious and rational apportionment of the source of water so as to reduce the water conflict issues and uphold good and quality drinking water in Kenya by 2060. Challenges set 2060 sustainability development This ascribes to the formulation of standards that will uphold quality drinking water in Kenya by 2060. This will include investing on the new state of earth technologies that will predict and forecast weather patterns thus ensuring there is enough drinking water in Kenya for her population. The state of the earth technologies is cheap and highly responsive to the water prediction patterns. Waste management that is less harmful to the environment thus reducing more pollution to the environment or becoming an environment sustainable. Actually, scenario based approach to planning and strategic management is vital in deriving innovation in the drinking water industry in Kenya. The scenario comes up with real outcome and discrepancies that need to be addressed in future. This approach derives creative approaches that will engulf quite number of approaches. The 2060 framework of drinking water and strategy will be aligned in four key major points; i. Many options to be undertaken-integrative model that incorporates varied strategy options that takes into considerations environmental needs and prepare the industry for the future developments. ii. Multiple perspectives- the strategy demands the consideration of varied options. iii. A systematic approach, tool-based procedure-this is based on clear process that is more defined by objectivity and clear vision. iv. Flexibility- an approach that is adapted to varied environment and technological platforms with the intention of easing application. Project Timeline The sustainability of drinking water industry is projected to have a timeline of 44 years. It will commence in 2016 and end in 2060. At is with this time that, analysis, evaluation and putting in actions the above mentioned projections. Bibliography Dcosta, A. (2011). PESTLE Analysis History and Application. by Edwards G., http://www. brighthubpm. com/project-planning/100279-pestle-analysis-history- andapplication/(visited on 9.6. 2014 at 10.57 pm). Gober, P. (2010). Desert urbanization and the challenges of water sustainability. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 2(3), 144-150. MacDonald, G. M. (2010). Water, climate change, and sustainability in the southwest. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 107(50), 21256-21262. McCool, S. F., & Stankey, G. H. (2004). Indicators of sustainability: challenges and opportunities at the interface of science and policy.Environmental management, 33(3), 294-305. Moe, C. L., & Rheingans, R. D. (2006). Global challenges in water, sanitation and health. Journal of water and health, 4(S1), 41-57. Read More