Sub-Saharan Africa grapples with many public health issues such as food insecurity, increased prevalence of infectious diseases, limited access to clean water supply, poor nutrition and lack of improved health services for its populace (IMF, 2021). Of all these challenges, the inaccessibility of clean water supply for both the rural and urban populace is the most pressing challenge, which has been exacerbated by extensive pollution and climate change crises. The issue of water access and supply affects both rural and urban populations. At rural areas water is accessed in yard taps and in arid regions through water kiosks managed by private owners. Among the urban poor, water access is compromised by poor supply infrastructure especially among informal settlers and risks such as contamination during the supply chain are imminent This book therefore seeks to close this knowledge gap by 1) generating a water resources inventory for Sub-Saharan Africa region, 2) exploring the water crises in both its urban and rural settings, 3) understanding the causatives of the crises and 4) suggesting viable solutions to manage the water challenges using named case studies. The aim is to improve understanding on the region’s water problems and advise scholars and policymakers on priority research areas and action plans to better water management for sustainable development.
Author(s): Joan Nyika, Megersa Olumana Dinka
Series: SpringerBriefs in Water Science and Technology
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 116
City: Cham
Preface
Contents
1 Introduction to Water Resources of Sub-Saharan Africa
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Water Sources in Sub-Saharan Africa
1.2.1 Surface Water Sources
1.2.2 Groundwater Sources
1.3 Access to Surface and Ground-Water Resources to SSA Users
1.4 Conclusions
References
2 Water Challenges in Urban Sub-Saharan Africa
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Status of Water Access in Urban SSA
2.3 Water Challenges in Cities of SSA
2.3.1 Unplanned Development in Cities
2.3.2 Infrastructural Gap
2.3.3 Impact of Climate Change
2.3.4 Pollution
2.3.5 Financial Constraints
2.3.6 Socioeconomic Disparities
2.3.7 Lack of Skilled Personnel
2.3.8 Inadequate Water Policies and Strategies
2.3.9 Individual Behaviors and Attitudes of Urban Residents
2.3.10 Costs of Water Access
2.3.11 Paucity of Water Resources Data
2.4 Conclusions
References
3 Water Challenges in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Status of Water Access in Rural SSA
3.3 Challenges of Water Access in Rural SSA
3.3.1 Environmental Challenges
3.3.2 Systemic Challenges
3.3.3 Individual Challenges
3.4 Conclusions
References
4 Management of Water Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Water Scarcity of SSA
4.3 Management of Water Challenges
4.3.1 Improving Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation to Manage Water Challenges
4.3.2 Good Governance to Manage Water Challenges
4.3.3 System Improvements to Manage Water Resources
4.3.4 Financial Investment in the Water Sector
4.3.5 Deconstructing Gendered Water Management
4.4 Conclusions
References
5 Progress Towards Attaining SDG Target on Universal Access to Clean Water in Sub-Saharan Africa
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Components of SDG 6
5.3 Progress of SDG 6 in Sub-Saharan Africa
5.3.1 Proportion of Population Using Safely Managed Drinking Water Services (6.1.1)
5.3.2 Proportion of Population Using Safely Management Sanitation Services (6.2.1a)
5.3.3 Proportion of the Population with a Hand Washing Facility with Soap and Water Available at Home (6.2.1b)
5.3.4 Proportion of Domestic and Industrial Wastewater Flow that is Safely Treated (6.3.1)
5.3.5 Proportion of Bodies of Water with Good Ambient Water Quality (6.3.2)
5.3.6 Change in Water Use Efficiency Over Time (6.4.1)
5.3.7 Level of Water Stress (6.4.2)
5.3.8 Degree of IWRM Implementation (6.5.1)
5.3.9 Proportion of Transboundary Basin Area with an Operational Arrangement for Water Cooperation (6.5.2)
5.3.10 Change in the Extent of Water-Related Ecosystems Over Time (6.6.1)
5.3.11 Amount of Water and Sanitation Related Official Assistance that is Part of Government Coordinated Spending Plan (6.a.1)
5.3.12 Participation of Local Communities in Water and Sanitation Management (6.b.1)
5.4 Conclusions
References
6 Recommendations to Improve Management of Water Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Recommendations to Improve the Management of Water Challenges
6.2.1 Safeguarding Water Resources
6.2.2 Managing the Risk to Water Investments
6.2.3 Smart and Innovative Water Management
6.2.4 Establish Working Markets
6.2.5 Enhancing Coherence Decision Making
6.2.6 Managing Water Through Working Partnerships
6.3 Conclusions
References
