ZACH, MADDIE AND AUDREY The Nile River

Demographics The river touches 11 countries: Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, Uganda, Demographic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan

Background Each country draws on the Nile for irrigation and drinking water, and flushes mostly untreated sewage and other effluents into it. The three countries: Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt use most of it. Egypt gets 97 % of its water from this source.

The Nile takes up 10% of Africa

Future Plans Ethiopia and Sudan plan to divert more water from the river, which would reduce the amount of water available from the Nile. Options: A. Egypt could go to war with Sudan and Ethiopia for more water, cut population growth, or reduce irrigation water use. B. Egypt could import more grain to reduce the need for irrigation water, work out water-sharing agreement with other countries, or suffer the hydrological poverty.

Future Issues Increased construction of Dams will further decrease flooding of the Nile. This flooding is essential for the recycling of nutrients throughout the river If current water withdrawal for irrigation increases the Nile may begin to dry up and stop reaching the sea as it does during low tide now. Global warming drying the river may also put further strains on the Nile which is Africa’s largest supply of water.

Future Solutions Africa will have to increase outsourcing to other countries for water. Africa may have to stop plans to create more dams in order to preserve the nutrient rich Nile. The African government will also have to put more stringent restrictions on the pollution from the cities and farms flowing into the Nile.

Egypt’s Large Population

Egypt Egypt’s population is 85 million. 85% of the water they use from the Nile is used for agriculture, but most water leaks from pipes. Study by Fathi Fata (independent water expert) found Egypt loses 2 billion cubic meters of water to evaporation 3 billion cubic meters to grass growing on banks of the Nile and river islands. Around 40% of remaining water (used domestically) 2-3 billion cubic meters is lost to leaking pipes/drains. 2.5 billion cubic meters are used to generate electricity.

Egypt’s Dependence on the Nile for Agriculture

Conflicts with Egypt In 1959 Water Sharing agreement between Egypt and Sudan granted Egypt 55.5 billion m^3 of Nile water, however, due to continued population growth, the country is facing a shortfall of billion m^2 annually. Egypt does not recognize a recent agreement signed by Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. That seeks to allow irrigation and hydroelectric projects to go ahead without Cairo’s consent.

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