WATER SHORTAGE

Water is an important element in our ecosystem, and this is evident by the fact that 70% of the earth is covered by water. But of this 70%, only about 3% is fresh water and fit for human consumption. Over the recent years’ water shortage has become a very common problem with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) releasing data that stated that about 1.1 billion people lack access to fresh water and almost a third of the world’s population experience water shortage at least once a month. The same research concluded by stating that if the trends we have now continue, by 2025, about two-thirds of the world’s population will experience water shortage (Pepper & Brebbia 2012).

The major cause of this water shortage is climate change. As a continent we have continued to release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to the environment and this has really damage the ecosystem patterns. Due to global warming, weather patterns are changing faster and thus the water supply system is affected (Rached, Rathgeber &Brooks, 1996). Droughts are becoming more frequent, wet lands drying up, big rivers becoming streams of water, and eventually it is expected that glaciers and snow packs will disappear and thus create a major water crisis. This crisis will in turn affect our water consumption by cutting it to almost half and the availability of water for agriculture will also reduce there by creating a food shortage problem.  Pollution is also a major problem. The pesticides we use in our farms, human waste that get directed to fresh water supplies and also industrial wastes are affecting our water sources making it harmful for human consumption (Zereini & Hotzl 2008).

What are the possible solutions or what can we do as human race in order to save ourselves from these shortages? That is the common question that many people ask. Since this is a global problem, finding solutions is important to our survival. In order to achieve water security, certain measures must be in mind. One, the water yield must be available as it guarantees water supply. Secondly, amount of water use required, that is for domestic, economic, agricultural and ecological water use. Finally, methods that helping the modernization of productivity (Savic 2005).

One way is by exploiting and utilizing water and resources in basins. There are methods that can be used in the optimization of local water resources. One is the utilization and exploitation of rain water. If people are taught of methods of harvesting rain water, this could be helpful during the dry seasons. Also building dams as a mode of water storage, when there is plenty of rain water can also prove to be helpful. Many people invest in agriculture and by using these dams as a source of water for irrigation during dry seasons. The people can be advised about the weather friendly plants and avoid water thirsty crops (Hoag 2012).

With regards to local water sources. It is much more important that there is optimal regulation of   multi-water resources (Pereira, Cordery & Iancovides, 2009). This will help in the regulation of over exploitation of ground water. If methods of adaptation to the rainy seasons such as method of storage of surplus runoff water. This will help people reduce the exploitation of ground water during the wet years. My minimizing the use of ground water and maximizing the use of water will help recharging the now scarce ground water (Nkonya, 2008).

Another way to improve local water sources, it is key to improve the utilization efficiency of water resources. This means that there should be a restriction of fresh water in industrial problem. Also if the amount of water for agricultural use can be regulated, it would help reduce wastage. This will later on ensure that there will be plenty of water available for human consumption (Rogers, Leal & Markey 2014). Also for better utilization it is important to regulate the urban cities population since this is where excess water can be used. All these will not be possible under the wrong management there it is important that there is strengthening management and protection of water resources. This will include equipment management and replacement and technological renovations at existing construction. Also the management regime should be reformed (Richter 2014).

Management of pollution will also help reduce water shortage. Many of the water sources are being contaminated by toxic wastes from our homesteads and industries. There should be stricter regulations against companies that dispose their wastes in water bodies to pollute it. The sewage systems in towns are the major source of water pollution in the urban centers, therefore it is important that there are proper sanitation sewage systems that will reduce water contamination. This will help ensure that the water quality is not tampered with (Majumder 2015).

Weather pollution is also another key issue that affects the water supply system by changing the climatic condition. There it is important that all nations use renewable environmental friendly ways in order to reduce the produce of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. If we are able to control global warming the climatic conditions and weather patterns will be more tolerable therefore reducing the frequent floods and drought happening all over the world (Ul-Allah 2014).

These two methods are applicable to areas in Africa. Africa is one of the continent that suffers a lot from water shortage. Can use these two methods in order to regulate water shortage. For instance, since most areas experience different weather seasons, the natives can be taught of better ways of water harvesting during the rainy seasons. the people can also be educated about what agricultural products are suitable for the weather patterns experienced in the areas (Stauffer, 1999) With regards to pollution, slums in many cities have very poorly maintained sewerage systems, there it is important for the governments to invests in better disposal system. This will ultimately help in the conservation of the water available (Singh & Seo 1999).

The problem of water shortage affects each and every continent in the entire world. Therefore, it is important that we all an extra hand in order to conserve the water resources. It is the duty of each and every one to ensure that we will help alleviate this problem. If water is available to you it is important that you learn to minimize our usage, for instance, it is not proper to leave water running. Each and every step that you take will count greatly. If possible, help conserve the environment as this will protect our underground water. So the next time you think of wasting water, just remember that by your actions in 2025, you might on the lacking end (Kanmony 2010).

References

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PEREIRA, L. S., CORDERY, I., & IACOVIDES, I. (2009). Coping with water scarcity: addressing the challenges. [Dordrecht], Springer.

KANMONY, J. C. (2010). Drinking water management: problems and prospects. New Delhi, Mittal Publications.

RICHTER, B. D. (2014). Chasing water: a guide for moving from scarcity to sustainability.

MAJUMDER, M. (2015). Impact of urbanization on water shortage in face of climatic aberrations. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=985177.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WATER AND SOCIETY, PEPPER, D. W., & BREBBIA, C. A. (2012). Water and society. Southampton, WIT Press.

UL-ALLAH, S. (2014). Towards a water and nutrient efficient forage production in semi-arid regions of Pakistan. Kassel, Hess, Kassel University Press.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON WATER, ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY, SOCIO-ECONOMICS AND HEALTH ENGINEERING, SINGH, V. P., & IL WON SEO. (1999). Water resources planning and management. Highlands Ranch, Colo, Water Resources Publ. (Singh & Seo 1999)

NATO ADVANCED RESEARCH WORKSHOP ON EXTREME HYDROLOGICAL EVENTS : NEW CONCEPTS FOR SECURITY, & VASILʹEV, O. F. (2007). Extreme hydrological events: new concepts for security : proceedings of the NATO advanced research workshop on extreme hydrological events held in Novosibirsk, Russia, 11-15 July 2005. Dordrecht, Springer. http://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=371809.

 

ZEREINI, F., & HÖTZL, H. (2008). Climatic changes and water resources in the Middle East and North Africa.

NKONYA, L. K. (2008). Rural water management in Africa: the impact of customary institutions in Tanzania. Amherst, N.Y., Cambria Press.

HOAG, H. J. (2012). Harnessing the waters: an environmental history of African rivers. London, Continuum.

MCKINNEY, M. L., SCHOCH, R. M., & YONAVJAK, L. (2007). Environmental science: systems and solutions. Sudbury, Mass, Jones and Bartlett.

RACHED, E., RATHGEBER, E., & BROOKS, D. B. (1996). Water management in Africa and the Middle East: challenges and opportunities. Ottawa, International Development Research Centre.

ROGERS, P. P., LEAL, S., & MARKEY, E. J. (2014). Running out of water the looming crisis and solutions to conserve our most precious resource. [New York], Palgrave Macmillan Trade/St. Martin's Press. https://www.overdrive.com/search?q=71042962-5DAD-40D6-A77E-945BD89CEEF6.

STAUFFER, J. (1999). The water crisis: constructing solutions to freshwater pollution. London [England], Black Rose.