adminJeffrey Gogo Climate Story
As the effects of climate change worsen, more and more people in Africa have seen an increase in the scarcity of water, severely affecting sanitation and health, reducing crop production and threatening food security. The one degree Celsius average global temperature rise in the last 100 years has increased evaporation in dams, rivers, streams and lakes, putting irrigation at risk. Evaporation is expected to reduce water availability from the mentioned sources to 50 percent by 2080, according to a 2012 World Bank report.
Climate change has also increased the frequency and extremity of drought events in Africa, where 97 percent of agriculture is rain-fed, meaning an escalation of risk in crop failure, which could lead to hunger and malnutrition.
Now, while this year’s focus is on the water-energy nexus, equally important for Africa, and Zimbabwe in particular, is the need to establish systems that promote water conservation, limit pollution, enhance water use efficiency and improve access to safe, clean and reliable drinking water.
The WWD is held every year as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources, says the UN.
In the urban areas of Zimbabwe, the provision of safe drinking water remains a major challenge, creating risks for the spread of water-borne diseases, reminiscent of the 2008/09 cholera outbreak that killed 4 000 people and affected 100 000 others.
In rural areas the situation is not any better. Access to safe water and sanitation has declined over the last 15 years.
In the rural water supply and sanitation sector, levels of access have declined from over 90 percent in 1999 to estimates of 70 percent for safe water in 2004, according 2011 statistics from the Water Ministry.
Access to safe sanitation has fallen to 25 percent from 30 percent over the same period.
These figures, however, do not reflect the high rate of breakdown (estimated at 65 percent in 2004) of rural water points.
This sharp decline inflicts serious negative impact on the health, and livelihoods status of the rural communities in Zimbabwe.
Yet, the provision of safe and clean drinking water is key to climate change adaptation and sustainable development.
Typically most African governments do not have sufficient funds to address all water access problems in the short-term because of the isolated and scattered arrangement of most rural communities.
High levels of water pollution in cities multiply the costs of water treatment, which, in most cases, end up coming out of domestic tapes as semi-treated sewer.
One way of minimising the financial handicap is for African governments to strike partnerships with owners of private and developmental capital and get them to invest in the water sector, particularly in irrigation, dam construction and the production of water for mass consumption in urban areas.
These partnerships are already bearing fruit in some countries. In 2013, the Africa Water Facility (AWF) handed over to the Chitungwiza municipality in Zimbabwe the US$3 million WASH project which aimed to improve water, sanitation and hygiene in a town that has been ravaged by cholera and typhoid.
The project, which was started in January 2012 focused on stabilising water and sanitation services as well as enhancing institutional capacity for efficient and sustainable operation and management of the water supply water supply and sewerage services.
Studies by AWF indicated that the proportion of people receiving water in Chitungwiza prior to WASH was less than 50 percent and water availability was between 50 and 60 percent.
Such partnerships are important to responding to the escalating challenges caused by climate change on the water sector.
African governments should demonstrate their commitment to enhancing water availability and access by putting in place policy frameworks that support investments into the sector.
Rainwater harvesting cheaper option
In view of the WWD, it remains crucial to highlight again the technology of rainwater harvesting (RWH), as a cheaper option for reducing water wastage and improving access and conservation.
The Zimbabwe Government can successfully fund rainwater harvesting at both micro and macro levels, if they really wanted, with multiple benefits.
Efforts to broaden its use should escalate and be embraced as a quick-win solution to mitigating water scarcity.
Rainwater Harvesting Association of Zimbabwe (RHAZ) chairman Mr Elijah Rusike said the failure of RWH in the country was because of poor perception and appreciation.
He said the initial installation costs for an individual in the city may appear high, but the long-term socio-economic and environmental benefits were bigger.
“The perception has been that tap water will always be there whereas reality in all cities and towns in Zimbabwe has shown otherwise,” said Mr Rusike by email last week.
“What is needed is policy support to ensure that housing developers are asked to incorporate rainwater harvesting mechanisms on all new structures.
“That water could go a long way to greening the urban environment using cheap or rather free water. It will also reduce pressure on grid water.”
The urban individual harvester of rain would require a series of gutters, a connection and a tank. Depending on tank size, the equipment could set one back between US$2 000 and US$5 000.
However, the advent of plastic tanks in different sizes has reduced costs and the specialist building skills that were previously needed for putting up concrete structures.
Countries like Kenya have legislated for similar RWH technologies in all new commercial construction projects.
Mr Rusike said RHAZ has helped the installation of rainwater harvesting infrastructure at institutions like schools, promoting conservation agriculture construction of small dams and promoting infield soil and water conservation works. These projects are largely in the dry areas of natural regions 4 and 5.
“However, this is more of an irony because of climate change, as it is not only these natural regions that are experiencing low rainfall.
“Actually late onset and mid season droughts have had a more devastating effect than overall season total rainfall. As such in situ rainwater harvesting should be done by all farmers,” Mr Rusike.
On the core theme of the 2014 WWD, water and energy are closely interlinked and interdependent.
Energy generation and transmission requires utilisation of water resources, particularly for hydroelectric, nuclear, and thermal energy sources.
Conversely, about 8 percent of the global energy generation is used for pumping, treating and transporting water to various consumers.
In 2014, the UN is collectively bringing its attention to the water-energy nexus, particularly addressing inequities, especially for the ‘bottom billion’ who live in slums and impoverished rural areas and survive without access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation, sufficient food and energy services.
It also aims to facilitate the development of policies and cross-cutting frameworks that bridge ministries and sectors, leading the way to energy security and sustainable water use in a green economy.
Particular attention will be paid to identifying best practices that can make a water- and energy-efficient ‘Green Industry’ a reality.
God is faithful.
Online Reporter