Archive for category: Water

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Innovative Solutions for Water Scarcity

Innovative Solutions for Water Scarcity
Around the world, 1.1 billion people lack access to water, while 2.7 billion face water scarcity for at least one month each year. With changing weather patterns and an increase in extreme weather events like drought and extreme heat, water scarcity has become an even bigger threat than before. Every year, 829,000 people die from diseases directly related to the Triple Threat (unsafe water, poor sanitation and inadequate hygiene).

Despite challenges in how to tackle the issue of water scarcity, organizations and governments across the globe have already begun to implement initiatives to address this issue. For instance, in 2015, the OECD introduced its Water Governance Programme to advise governments at all levels on improving water policies. Scientific research conducted by institutions like the University of Birmingham and organizations like WWF is also focusing on finding solutions for water scarcity.

There are a variety of technologies undergoing development across the globe, from startups to governments, that are addressing the issue of water scarcity. Among these, the following innovative solutions stand out and show potential for tackling the issue successfully.

Solar Panel Technology: Desolenator

Desolenator, a desalination start-up, anticipates a 400% increase in the demand for drinkable water in the manufacturing sector. The company employs solar panel technology to harness sunlight and generate electricity. By utilizing thermal energy, it is able to purify contaminated water through the process of boiling, transforming it into steam and ultimately producing clean water.

Desolenator is currently partnering with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority to work on a project in Dubai, aligning with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050. Its goal is for 100% of energy production to come from clean energy sources by 2050. Not only is Desolenator helping to harness innovative solutions for water scarcity, it is doing so in a sustainable way.

Microfiltration: LifeStraw

LifeStraw, a company specializing in microfiltration, has developed a device that removes 99.9% of waterborne bacteria. It is relatively inexpensive, can be used at home or outdoors and removes more than 30 contaminants in water including chemicals, pesticides, bacteria, microplastics and parasites. LifeStraw is finding innovative solutions to tackling water scarcity. For example, with every 500 products sold, it distributes a LifeStraw purifier to a school in need as part of its Give Back Programme. It also works in partnership with the Carter Center for Guinea worm eradication and in emergency response work, distributing its products to those in need to ensure access to clean water.

Filter Paper: Folia Water

Folia Water has developed a filter paper infused with silver nanoparticles that can eliminate bacteria, viruses and parasites from water. The filter is cost-effective and capable of cleaning 20 liters of water. In 2015, Folia Water trialed the filter at 25 contaminated water sources in Ghana, Bangladesh and South Africa and successfully removed more than 99% of bacteria. While Folia Water needs more funding, it has provided safe drinking water to more than 40,000 low-income individuals in two districts of Bangladesh and aims to extend this to 500 million South Asians.

Agricultural Irrigation Technology

Agricultural irrigation technology generally involves how farmers can efficiently yield crops in the face of water shortages. The three main technologies include gravity, sprinkler and micro irrigation. These allow farmers to maximize crop yield despite water shortages. Since agricultural practices consume around 70% of the world’s freshwater supplies, governments around the world have been implementing policies to encourage agricultural irrigation. For example, the Moroccan Government has expanded irrigation with investment in the agricultural sector. Agricultural irrigation helps to manage water scarcity by increasing the effectiveness of water management and reducing water waste.

Wastewater Recycling: Membrane Bioreactor

Wastewater recycling reduces dependence on freshwater resources and limits the amount of discharged wastewater. Water recycling can be defined as the process of treating wastewater by using machines and chemicals for the reuse of water in industrial cycles. Recyclable water can include sewage, industrial drainage or domestic greywater. An effective solution is recycling waste water through a Membrane Bioreactor which removes toxins through a filtration system. Currently, the U.K. only recycles 2-10% of wastewater. Despite this, there are many positive impacts to recycling wastewater, including reducing costs for incoming water use, reducing costs for water disposal and lowering the environmental impact of operations. Alongside this, recycling wastewater can help address water scarcity, since less is going to waste.

Looking Ahead

Water scarcity remains a global issue facing billions of people worldwide, but organizations and governments are making efforts to tackle water scarcity through various initiatives. For example, the OECD’s Water Governance Programme provides guidance to governments on improving their policies, while scientific research has led to the development of products such as Desolenator, LifeStraw and Folia Water which are attempting to address water scarcity. Continued collaboration, policies and research show that innovative solutions can help in combating water scarcity.

– Rosie Lyons
Photo: Flickr

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Water.org Expands Access To Clean Water in Peru

Access To Clean Water in PeruPeru is a populous South American nation, and both its cities and mountainous regions face a shortage of clean drinking water. Water.org, a non-profit organization that partners with financial institutions to expand access to clean water in Peru, has recently started addressing this issue.

To accomplish its goals, Water.org partners with seven financial institutions, a microfinance association and a federation that represents 11 national banks in Peru. Water.org’s profile of Peru states that 48% of the country’s population lacks access to a safely managed and reliable water source, and the organization aims to remedy that.

The Urban-Rural Divide in Access To Clean Water in Peru

Lima is the capital and urban epicenter of Peru. The mountainous southern region of Peru, popularly known sd “Deep Peru,” is culturally marginalized by Lima, and the quality of life is demonstrably worse in Deep Peru than in Lima. According to a 2021 news article by Americas Quarterly, life expectancy in the rural region of Huancavelica is seven years shorter than in Lima and infant mortality is nearly three times higher in rural Puno than in Lima.

Poverty and Lack of Access To Clean Water in Peru

Rural populations suffer disproportionately from a lack of access to clean water in Peru. A 2021 research study by Vasquéz et al. provides evidence that safe drinking water in Peru is concentrated in the wealthiest households.

At the time of a 2020 report by the Global Living Wage Coalition, the poverty rate in rural Peru was 46%, compared to about 15% in urban areas. A 2021 report by the Peru Support Group adds that extreme poverty affects 12.1% of the rural population while only 2.1% of the urban population suffers a similar fate.

Like poverty, lack of access to clean water in Peru is worse in its rural areas than in its cities. A 2021 report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) finds that 4.7% of Peru’s urban population lacks access to public water supply networks, compared to 25.3% of the rural population.

The lack of access to clean water in Peru is not an issue that affects only rural areas, however. According to water.org’s profile of Peru, a sharply rising urban population has led to the development of urban slums where piped water is not accessible.

Misuse of Resources

The lack of clean water in Peru has less to do with scarcity and more to do with misuse. A 2012 Global Majority E-journal article states that despite being one of the world’s top 17 countries with the most freshwater available per capita, Peru is also one of the world’s top 30 countries suffering most from water stress and scarcity.

The Solution: Water.org’s Water Loans

Recent efforts by Water.org and its partners have focused on expanding access to clean water in Peru. Using a program called WaterCredit, partners of Water.org have “disbursed 1.1 million water and sanitation loans over the past few years, providing access to clean water and sanitation to 4.2 million people.”

According to Water.org, WaterCredit brings small loans to those who need access to affordable financing in areas demonstrating a need for safe water and a readiness for solutions involving microfinance.

Water.org partners with more than 150 financial institutions worldwide, and these institutions establish water loans in their repertoire of services. Once a loan is repaid, it can be lent to another family lacking access to clean water.

Outlook

Clean water is a necessity for living that specific populations of urban and rural areas of Peru struggle to attain. Efforts by organizations such as Water.org recognize where the issue exists and whom it affects. And with continued efforts, there is hope for a future where water is more accessible.

– Noel Teter
Photo: Flickr

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Everything to Know About Poverty in the DRC

Poverty in the DRCThe Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), despite its vast mineral wealth, faces significant challenges in socio-economic development due to high poverty levels. Political corruption, limited economic opportunities and ongoing conflict all contribute to the persistent poverty in the country. The following is a brief look into the extent and causes of poverty in the DRC.

Causes of Poverty

Gaining insight into the factors contributing to poverty is essential when analyzing the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to the International Trade Administration, the country holds significant untapped potential. In 2020, it emerged as the leading cobalt producer, accounting for 41% of global production, and ranked sixth in diamond production with 3.7 million carats. Despite agriculture being the largest sector, it has not effectively mitigated poverty, which has persisted for decades.

Statistics and Reasons for Poverty in the DRC

According to the World Bank, a significant portion of the population in the DRC, approximately 60 million people or 62%, live on less than $2.15 per day as of 2022. In 2021, the GDP per capita in the DRC was $577.20.

The prevalence of political corruption has been a major contributor to the high levels of poverty in the DRC. Political interests have taken precedence over crucial socio-economic matters, hindering the country’s development. The nation has faced persistent political conflicts due to lengthy presidential reigns, further exacerbating the challenges that citizens face.

Rather than prioritizing economic development and improving the lives of people, political issues and policies have taken precedence in the DRC. According to Africa’s Organised Crime Index, low salaries and poor treatment within the police force have resulted in a lack of seriousness in addressing monetary-related crimes, allowing perpetrators to evade punishment.

The life expectancy of a Congolese person at birth is only 59 years, as reported by the World Bank in 2021. This figure is significantly lower compared to many other countries, such as the U.S., where the average stands at 76 years. The underdevelopment of public sectors, coupled with low-income levels for the majority of Congolese people, perpetuates the cycle of poverty in the country.

Taking Action

Oxfam, an organization that has been working in the DRC since 1961, has played a vital role in promoting sustainable access to water and good hygiene practices. Through local initiatives, communities and schools have received the necessary support to maintain their access to these essential resources. Oxfam’s impactful efforts include providing life-saving aid to 700,000 displaced individuals, ensuring access to clean water and food.

Coopi, an Italian humanitarian organization, is also actively engaged in the DRC. Its initiatives encompass various areas such as providing free health care, offering support to malnourished mothers and children and promoting agricultural activities by assisting farmers in cultivating and marketing their products.

These organizations, among others, are committed to improving the living conditions of the Congolese people. By imparting knowledge on securing basic needs, they contribute to positive changes in poverty levels in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

– Christelle Wealth-Mukendi
Photo: Courtesy of Christelle Wealth-Mukendi

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Combating the Worldwide Water Crisis

Worldwide Water CrisisCurrently, there is a worldwide water crisis, as 771 million people face a total lack of access to safe water. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in three people worldwide does not have access to safe drinking water. The global water crisis has far-reaching consequences for communities across the globe, such as contaminated water-borne diseases, health issues like dehydration, vomiting and diarrhea, as well as economic difficulties. Families may have to spend a significant amount of their income on buying bottled water or traveling lost distances to collect water, which can make it challenging for them to fulfill other basic needs, including food, shelter and education.

Affecting Women and Girls

In addition, water scarcity disproportionately affects women and girls because they often experience the burden of collecting water. Spending hours of their days walking to obtain water for their families often limits their opportunities for education, work and social activities. Unsafe sanitation also poses a threat to women and girls, as they face a higher risk of abuse and assault when having to use outdoor toilets or sharing facilities with men and boys.

In 2009, actor Matt Damon and engineer Gary White founded Water.org, a nonprofit organization that aims to provide access to safe water and sanitation to people in developing countries. Water.org combats the global water crisis across 11 countries through affordable market-based solutions.

Global Water Crisis in Numbers

The following five statistics put into perspective the pervasiveness and danger of the water crisis.

  1. Approximately 2 billion people worldwide lack access to clean water, and 3.4 billion do not have proper sanitation facilities, according to Water for People.
  2. According to reports, one in six health care facilities does not have handwashing stations or toilets, which puts millions of people seeking help for health issues at an even greater risk.
  3. Water for People reports that “3.4 million deaths occur each year from water-related diseases.”
  4. On average, women living in rural Africa walk 3.7 miles every day to collect water and carry 40 pounds of it back to their families.
  5. By 2025, half of the global population could live in regions confronted with water scarcity. Furthermore, by 2040, over a quarter of the world’s children will “live in areas of extremely high water stress.”

Water.org combats the global water crisis with urgency and innovation in an effort to reduce the grand scale of water scarcity worldwide.

Water.org’s Mission and Formula

Working in 11 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America, Water.org combats the global water crisis through market-based solutions to empower communities and make access to safe water and sanitation sustainable. The organization offers two loan programs—WaterCredit and WaterEquity—that have distinct goals and serve different groups of borrowers.

WaterCredit provides small loans to families in developing countries, who lack access to traditional credit and cannot afford to pay upfront for water and sanitation solutions, such as wells, pumps, and toilets. Families repay these loans over time, with the expectation that the borrower will eventually become financially stable enough (now that they can devote their time to other efforts besides collecting water) to repay the loan in full.

The WaterEquity program is an impact investing project that provides funding for water and sanitation enterprises to scale solutions to reach more people. Investors offer small loans for water and sanitation that are repaid over time, potentially receiving a financial return.

WaterEquity helps to attract private capital to the water and sanitation sector, promoting innovation and expanding access to safe water and sanitation. According to Water.org, “The investor can potentially receive a financial return, or re-invest to further their social impact.” This initiative provides sustainable solutions to the global water crisis and offers an “attractive risk-return profile to investors.”

Impact and Achievements

As of 2023, Water.org has provided access to safe water and sanitation to over 55 million people in 11 countries, according to its website. Water.org’s primary initiative, WaterCredit, has helped to mobilize over $4.4 billion in capital for water and sanitation projects. Water.org has enabled communities around the globe to take control of their own solutions and break the cycle of poverty caused by a lack of access to safe water and sanitation.

India’s water crisis is particularly severe. Nearly 600 million people face high to extreme water stress, and “nearly 200,000 people in India die each year due to inadequate access to safe water.” In addition, by 2030, the water demand in India could be “twice the available supply.”

On the bright side, Water.org’s efforts against the global water crisis include 31 local partners in India. Water.org has helped more than 21 million people gain access to safe water and sanitation.

The organization combats the global water crisis through innovative solutions that generate long-lasting and life-changing effects for families worldwide. Overall, the continued efforts of organizations like Water.org present hope for a future where safe water and sanitation are accessible to all.

– Skye Connors
Photo: Flickr

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Addressing Worldwide Freshwater Crisis

Freshwater CrisisThe freshwater crisis is one that calls for attention, as water is an essential resource to all living organisms and ecosystems because it provides support to biological functions through the transportation of nutrients, regulation of body temperature and optimal digestion. It sustains life through biodiversity, productivity and adaptability to environmental changes to foster ecological processes.

According to the United States Bureau of Reclamation, approximately 3% of the Earth contains fresh water while the other 97% is saltwater. However, over 68% of the freshwater is in glaciers and polar ice caps, with another 30% in the soil, thereby rendering extraction difficult and expensive. The limited accessibility hampers fulfilling the expanding demand for freshwater resources and exacerbates the current worldwide freshwater crisis.

Earth’s Freshwater Poverty

Water scarcity intensifies as demand for freshwater rises as a result of population development, urbanization and industrialization, all of which diminish the availability of freshwater resources. Other causes that contribute to freshwater depletion include and over-extraction of groundwater.

Freshwater resources are not fairly distributed throughout the world, resulting in discrepancies in access and availability. Some areas, notably dry and semi-arid ones, suffer from chronic water scarcity, whereas others have copious freshwater supplies. This disparity could exacerbate socioeconomic inequities and lead to conflicts over the accessibility of water.

Consequences of Limited Access to Freshwater

Limited access to freshwater impacts human health. Waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid flourish in contaminated and poor water sources. A lack of sufficient hygiene and sanitation facilities, particularly in developing countries, further exacerbates these health problems.

According to the World Bank, 70% of freshwater finds its use in agriculture, and this represents the largest consumption of freshwater globally. Water scarcity could have a negative impact on crop production, food security and livestock, affecting overall agricultural efficiency and productivity. The limited access to water for irrigation could force farmers to rely on unsustainable practices, such as inefficient water distribution, limiting crop yields from diversifying and exacerbating the cycle of water scarcity and food insecurity.

The freshwater crisis affects many sectors in the water-intensive sectors, leading to economic consequences. Marginalized communities, particularly women and children, face the brunt of water scarcity because of the need to frequently transport water across great distances. This has a limiting effect on educational and economic empowerment. Moreover, limited access to water contributes to poverty and socio-economic inequalities due to the lack of job opportunities and overall economic productivity.

Overcoming Challenges

An Engineering study reveals an innovative way of capturing water from naturally occurring sources, notably fog and dew. Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi found a novel water-collecting technique using the spontaneous condensation of water vapor onto the surface of an organic crystal undergoing sublimation.

The researchers discovered that as the crystal’s surface sublimated, microscopic channels with varied widths formed, allowing condensed water to travel over the crystal’s surface. This process was responsible for the autonomous flow of dust and metallic nanoparticles along the channels. The researchers discovered a new approach to promote water flow over solid surfaces by exploiting the phenomenon of water condensation and the changing dimensions of the channels.

Efforts to achieve autonomous water flow have traditionally put an emphasis on surface chemical modifications or built microchannels. However, this work takes a completely new approach which was inspired by the natural flow of water over solid surfaces. The authors emphasize the significance of this phenomenon because natural creatures have evolved to efficiently move water for various life-supporting activities, even defying gravity in the case of plants.

This study has far-reaching ramifications, however, the research is still ongoing. These discoveries have the potential to inspire the development of novel methods that maximize the effectiveness of collecting water from atmospheric humidity, providing a new option for solving the global freshwater crisis.

Looking Ahead

The freshwater crisis remains an issue that requires proactive measures in order to secure a future of sustainable water supply. And while the discovery of humidity-capturing crystals presents a promising solution, reports suggest that further research is necessary to optimize the development of the project.

– Cherine Jang
Photo: Flickr

Loofah-Inspired Hydrogel Could Improve Access to Safe Water

Globally, more than 2 billion people live in countries with severe water deficits, largely due to contamination of water supplies, insufficient management and a lack of adequate infrastructure. Frequently, many fall ill to oftentimes fatal water-transmitted diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery and Hepatitis A. Population growth increases water insecurity, and climate change disrupts weather patterns, causing an increase in unpredictable water availability. Fortunately, researchers have developed a porous, loofah-inspired hydrogel that could sustainably purify water in a cost-effective way.

Initial Development

Previously developed thermoresponsive hydrogels absorbed and then released purified water. However, they had a slow response rate and were not effective in cloudy weather, providing an insufficient volume of water for a person’s daily needs. With increased release rates, the newly innovated loofah-inspired hydrogel improves on this. Researchers used a mixture of water and a chemical called ethylene glycol to induce polymerization, creating a ‘PNIPAm hydrogel’ with interconnected pores inspired by the porous structure of a loofah. They coated the inner pores of the hydrogel with the chemicals polydopamine (PDA) and poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (PSMBA), which provide the hydrogel with the ability to remove pollutants. The porous structure filters out microplastics, and the polydopamine traps contaminants such as dyes and metals. Furthermore, PSMBA creates a hydration layer that stops oils and microorganisms from being absorbed along with the water. When the hydrogel is cool, it can absorb water, but when warmed, it becomes hydrophobic and releases water. The hydrogel will only absorb water, not contaminants such as oil; therefore, it releases purified water.

Testing and Results

The porous, loofah-inspired hydrogel’s efficiency was tested with artificial light to replicate the solar energy of the sun. When heated, it “released 70% of its stored water in 10 minutes.” This improvement in response rate, four times faster than the closed-pore thermoresponsive hydrogels, means that this development could potentially meet a person’s daily water demand. Furthermore, it can work effectively even when a source of solar energy is not available. This is essential, as weather patterns may be unpredictable in areas of water deficit. Researchers proved the hydrogel’s effectiveness by testing under artificial light conditions, which replicated cloudy weather. It took about 20 minutes for the hydrogel to emit a similar amount of water to the volume released in sunny conditions. The hydrogel has also been tested on polluted samples containing “organic dyes, heavy metals, oil and microplastics.” These tests returned positive results, as the hydrogel successfully purified the water, removing contaminants.

Looking Forward

The hydrogel technology looks to be a vital step toward providing access to clean water in areas experiencing water insecurity. Although still in development, it has enormous potential. Research continues to create new and improved versions, such as hydrogel that could kill waterborne bacteria by utilizing its antibacterial properties. This provides hope for a brighter future for those without the financial ability to access clean water.

– Isla Wright

Photo: Flickr

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The Ugandan Entrepreneur Turning Waste into Water

Ugandan Entrepreneur
Uganda has experienced 20 years of economic growth and population relocation. Many Ugandan people have chosen to move from remote regions to areas around big towns and cities. Significant population growth has resulted in Uganda’s water supply and sanitation services facing exceptionally high demand. Limited supply and high demand mean that Uganda’s urban population faces high costs for access to water. Moreover, Ugandans that still live in rural areas continue to embark on long walks to collect water for their households. In light of this, a Ugandan entrepreneur, Timothy Kayondo, is turning waste into water. The following is a brief look into water quality and sanitation in Uganda.

Four Facts About Water Quality and Sanitation in Uganda

  1. Uganda has a population of 45 million people and 83% of the population do not have access to a clean and reliable source of drinking water.
  2. About 7 million people in Uganda, or around 17% of the population, do not have access to adequate sanitation facilities. 
  3. Approximately 32% of Ugandans have to embark on a journey of more than 30 minutes to gain access to water that is not suitable for drinking.
  4. Roughly 19% of Uganda’s population only possess access to streams, ponds and hand-dug wells, all of which lack the necessary filtration to make the water safe to drink. 

The Cost of Access to Water

Water.org has estimated that 72% of Uganda’s population “lives on less than $3.20 a day.” People living in the urban areas of Uganda use up to 22% of their income on maintaining access to water. A significant allocation of wages toward water access means that Ugandan households have less disposable income for other life necessities. Subsequently, it becomes challenging for the disadvantaged groups in Uganda’s population to break the current cycle of poverty.

Eco Water Purifier

In 2019, Timothy Kayondo demonstrated the Eco Water Purifier at the Global-NAMRIP’s conference in Uganda. Kayondo’s product serves as a solution to Uganda’s current water crisis. The Eco Water Purifier filters waste products such as animal bones and cassava peels to produce clean drinking water. The process involves the waste being “cleaned, fired in a vacuum-sealed furnace, soaked in acidic solution, washed in distilled water and then crushed into activated carbon.” The filter runs entirely off solar panel energy and has the capacity to purify up to 300 liters of water within the space of an hour.

Timothy Kayondo’s invention is affordable, portable and will be made accessible to all income demographics in the local population. However, public facilities, remote schools and clinics will be the main beneficiaries of the Eco Water Filter. As recognition of his achievement, Timothy Kayondo received the Africa Prize 2021 Alumni Grant. The grant was worth $19,700 and acknowledges the need to help “ambitious African innovators develop scalable engineering solutions to local challenges.”

Looking Ahead

Uganda’s struggle with access to drinkable water remains rife. However, efforts from individuals like Ugandan entrepreneur Timothy Kayondocontinue to highlight the need for effective and sustainable action against Uganda’s water crisis. The Eco Water Purifier provides an inventive solution that is most importantly accessible to those living in poverty. With time, the Eco Water Purifier can potentially become a long-term solution for Uganda’s water problems.

– Jennifer Preece
Photo: Flickr

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5 Facts About Water Security in Tanzania

Water Security in Tanzania
Tanzania’s economy, health and food security rely on the sustainable management of water resources. The United Nations has entrenched access to clean water and proper sanitation as a fundamental human right. However, this has not prevented the lack of water security in Tanzania, particularly in rural areas, from negatively impacting sectors like education and health care. On the positive side, efforts are ongoing to improve water security in the country.

5 Issues Affecting Water Security in Tanzania

  1. Changing Weather Patterns: According to forecasts, the average temperature in Southwest Tanzania could increase by 3 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, leading to higher evaporation rates and significantly affecting water availability.
  2. Mismanagement of Water Resources: Economic growth in Tanzania has prompted a growing demand for water. Yet, water management services fail to match this high level of demand, leaving 21 million citizens unable to access improved drinking water in 2017. In particular, this issue disproportionately affects poor rural districts.
  3. Poor Infrastructure: An estimated 80% of rural Tanzanians in rural areas use outmoded water and sanitation infrastructure such as pit toilets. A pit toilet is a type of toilet that collects human feces in a ground hole. These toilets typically do not have any lids to prevent groundwater pollution, thereby increasing the prevalence of water-related diseases. This lack of adequate toilet facilities also affects schools in the country. According to USAID in 2021, around 10% of menstruating girls in Tanzania drop out of school due to a lack of hygiene and sanitation facilities to properly and privately manage their menstruation.
  4. Health Impacts. Diarrhea-related diseases account for around 26,000 deaths due to the pathogen-infested water supply. Illnesses from the contaminated water have dire effects on education as school children lose as many as 33 million school days per annum. In 2015, only 17% of rural districts had access to sanitary water services. Additionally, according to reports, approximately 40% of the Tanzanian population has access to sanitary water services.
  5. Poor Hygiene: Tanzania only has a handful of public or private places where people can maintain proper hygiene practices, such as handwashing. While some places have handwashing areas, there is often no wash soap and non-contaminated water. Poor water, hygiene and sanitation services in Tanzania also significantly impact the health of school children as 84% of schools in the country lack access to handwashing facilities.

Improvement Efforts

From Jan. 4, 2016, to April 30, 2021, the U.S.-aided Water Resources Integration Development Initiative (WARIDI) intervened to combat the interconnected issues concerning water security in Tanzania. It collaborated with 20 local government authorities between the Wami-River and Rufiji River basins to drive the sustainable management of water resources. This included increased access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. Basin water officers received training on interpreting data regarding sustainable and resilient water management. WARIDI used modern equipment that monitors the flow of water in various streams supplying major rivers.

WARIDI’s efforts created a succinct study of climate vulnerability that could be incorporated into its model for the efficient allocation of water resources. The organization aided in the establishment and development of 50 water infrastructure projects for 500,000 inhabitants across the Morogoro and Iringa regions of Tanzania in May 2021. The project provides access to potable water in rural regions, negating the need for 255,000 women to undertake perilous journeys to collect water.

Looking Ahead

Overall, WARID’s comprehensive approach to recognizing the importance of water conservation and maintenance of water infrastructure has played a significant role in alleviating issues related to water security in Tanzania. It has enhanced the living standards of many inhabitants through a variety of advanced water supply resources, including submergible pumps, solar panels, chlorine treatment divisions and valve chambers. The work is not yet complete as many Tanzanians still face significant challenges with accessing water. However, many positive results are visible from ongoing work and the situation continues to improve.

– Dami Kalejaiye
Photo: Flickr

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Worst Drought in Argentina in 60 Years

Drought in Argentina“Argentina is enduring its ninth heat wave of the growing season, when the norm is for three or four, compounding its third straight La Niña-fuelled drought,” according to the Buenos Aires Times in March 2023. With record high temperatures and low precipitation, the drought in Argentina became severe in the last three months of 2022 and continues to persist.  Argentina is a major producer of corn, wheat and soybean crops. The heat and lack of rainfall are proving extremely difficult for farmers trying to continue operations with little water and harsh temperatures. The ​​National Meteorological Service (SMN) has tracked and reported weather data since 1961. The drought in Argentina is the worst since the SMN started to record data. February 2023 received 41.9% less rain than it usually does.

La Niña

Experts are crediting the weather in Argentina to the La Niña climate pattern. La Niña refers to a weather pattern that cools the surface of the Pacific water on the west coast of South America, creating hotter and drier weather in South America. It usually occurs every three to five years, but experts are crediting Argentina’s continuous hot and dry conditions to a third successive year of La Niña.

Impact on Crop and Economy

A severe combination of heat waves and a dry climate is causing fires to scorch and spread through Northern Argentina. Argentina suffered a minimum of eight heat waves between 2022 and 2023. As of February 23, 2023 officials state that the fires have covered at least 9% of the Corrientes province’s territory, located in Northeastern Argentina.

Argentina’s economy relies heavily on its ability to grow and sell crops. Because Argentinian farmers are struggling to produce food in the current climate, estimates predict the country will produce about 50 million fewer tons of crop than last year, according to Al Jazeera.

Due to the lack of crops to sell, the Rosario Grains Exchange (BCR) predicts that the drought in Argentina will cut the nation’s 2023 GDP by $19 billion compared to 2022. The drought has already reduced the country’s GDP by three points.

Solutions

With the inability to grow as many crops as usual, coupled with almost 100% inflation, Argentina is struggling to meet the annual debt owed to the IMF. However, Argentina and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are currently negotiating a deal where the nation does not need to provide the IMF with the amount of “currency reserves target” previously agreed upon for 2023.

In addition, Argentina is working on several solutions to ease troubles for struggling farmers who depend on crops as their livelihood. In January 2023, the government announced the launch of a relief fund for farmers struggling amid the drought. The fund will provide farmers with access to 5 billion pesos, or about $27 million.

Secondly, the government announced at the same time that it will not require farmers in areas affected the worst by the drought to pay the “advance income tax payments.” This comes along with lower interest rates and greater subsidies. The hope is that this will lighten any excess financial burdens that struggling farmers may have.

With significantly smaller crop yields this year than in previous years, the current climate has been tough on Argentina’s farmers thus far. Experts predict that crop production will continue to struggle as the weather continues. Though, fortunately, Argentina’s farmers are receiving support from the international and local communities.

– Maya Steele
Photo: Flickr

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The Walk for Water Campaign Increases Global Water Access

Walk for Water
Turning an everyday walk into vital support for the world’s most vulnerable is possible through the United Kingdom’s WaterAid campaign, Walk for Water. The campaign encourages the public to participate in a walking challenge that raises funds for pipe installations, well constructions, menstrual hygiene sessions and the building of school toilets in countries with a high count of people living in poverty. Clean water is vital for good health, thriving communities and flourishing economies. Challenging people to walk this month will contribute to improving the lives of women and girls who have to walk up to 12 kilometers every day to collect clean water.

Inequality in Access to Water

A 2019 report by UNICEF and World Health Organization reveals that “2.2 billion people around the world do not have safely managed drinking water services, 4.2 billion people do not have safely managed sanitation services and 3 billion lack basic handwashing facilities.”

These statistics make it clear that mobilization efforts need to pick up the pace in order to meet the U.N. drinking water, sanitation and hygiene targets by 2030. The U.N. asserts that the world’s progress in this area must increase fourfold in order to meet these goals.

Water and Poverty

Rapid population expansion, urbanization and growing water demands from the “agriculture, industry and energy sectors” have put a strain on global water resources. Access to safe and affordable water and sanitation plays a key part in poverty reduction and well-being. Meeting the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in this area would safeguard the lives of 829,000 people per year, who would otherwise die from illnesses arising from contaminated water, improper sanitation and inadequate hygiene.

According to Healing Waters, about 84% of people who lack access to clean water live in rural areas, meaning they rely on agriculture to meet their nutritional needs and secure an income. In cases of water contamination, crops are detrimentally affected and communities end up consuming contaminated food, exposing them to a multitude of preventable diseases and illnesses.

The obvious way that clean water reduces poverty is by improving physical health and well-being. Proper water and sanitation access prevents the spread of water-borne illnesses — the cause of 80% of illnesses in poverty-stricken countries, Healing Waters says.

Access to clean water also reduces poverty by easing the physical burden placed on females of all ages as gender roles prescribe that girls and women bear the role of water collectors. Females must undertake strenuous journeys, sometimes of up to 12 kilometers, carrying heavy buckets of water back to their homes after collection. One of the goals of the Walk for Water initiative is to lift this burden off of females so that young girls can engage in education and women can rest or partake in other productive tasks rather than spending hours collecting water, thus improving the lives of women and girls.

Looking Ahead

It is becoming more and more obvious that properly managed clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services are essential to maintaining human health as the COVID-19 pandemic carries on. However, billions of people would still lack these basic amenities in 2030 unless progress accelerates significantly. Many other aspects of sustainable development depend on water, and in order for the current trend to change, immediate action is necessary.

– Ralitsa Pashkuleva
Photo: Flickr