Water Scarcity in Africa Catherine Schoeninger and Danielle Yunker A Study of Water Resources in Zimbabwe

Welcome to Africa Current Conditions Decline in water resources Insufficient food Sanitation issues Extreme, unpredictable weather 300 million people affected What are the effects of water scarcity in Africa? es/zimbabwe_images/main_zimbabwe.jpg

Zimbabwe Natural Adversity Population density Climatic conditions Landlocked geographic location All lead to water supply problems

High Population Density Overcrowding adds to strain on resources Housing Multiple families in close proximity No running water Communal Well Women and children fetch water Communal Facilities Designed for 8 people, now shared by over 50 people

Sanitation Issues Stem from overpopulation and inefficient infrastructure Toilet Same drain as shower Blockages from use of newspaper as toilet paper Pipe system Bursts Slow repair time Contaminated water Sakubva River Children’s infected play area

Health Risks Observed at Zimbabwean Health Clinics Daily patient increase Stem from contact with contaminated water Specific diseases include: Tuberculosis Cholera

Climate Conditions 3 distinct seasons Ranging from hot to cool and wet to dry Unpredictable floods and droughts Annual Average rainfall is 685 mm mm can come in one month Difficult to plan crop cycle

Agriculture Agricultural nation Inconsistent harvests Leads to malnourishment Struggle for financial stability s_Emmanuel%20KoroPYyJQD.jpg frica/countries/zimbabwe/ZW0213.html

Possible Solutions Improved Infrastructure Solar Stills Conservation efforts Spreading awareness

Infrastructure International Necessary because they are landlocked Expand current system National Improve and increase existing system Drawbacks Need international cooperation Leakage Expensive – small countries can’t afford

Solar Stills Effective way to desalinize and purify water Produces clean drinking water

Water Cycle Operates on water cycle properties

Analysis of Solar Stills Easy procedure Cost effective Dependent on abundant sunshine

Conservation Efforts Improved management Refined infrastructure Dependent on financial means

Spreading Awareness Advertising water conservation Simple Inexpensive

References “AFRICA: Water management essential to break poverty”. OxResearch. Oxford. 17 March ProQuest Database. 15 February Anonymous. “Africa with no rain, or too much”. The Economist. London. 13 December Volume 345, Issue 8047; page 39. ProQuest Database. 15 February Mansell, M.G., and Hussey, S.W “An investigation of flows and losses within the alluvial sands of ephemeral rivers in Zimbabwe”. 314 (1-4): Web of Knowledge Database. 13 February Manzungu, E., and Machiridza R “An analysis of water consumption and prospects for implementing water demand management at household level in the City of Harare, Zimbabwe”. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth. 30 (11-16): Web of Knowledge Database. 13 February Mukheli, A., Mosupye, G., and Swatuk, LA. “Is the Pungwe water supply project a solution to water accessibility and sanitation problems for the households of Sakubva, Zimbabwe”? Physics and Chemistry of the Earth. 27 (11-22): Web of Knowledge Database. 13 February Rijsberman, F.R. “Water scarcity: fact or fiction?”. 80 (1-3): Web of Knowledge Database. 17 February “Solar Stills”. Gujarat Energy Development Agency March