A Perspective on Water Crisis Essay

Global peeing crisis is one of the biggest problems that the world is facing. Fresh pissing re radicals ar increasely becoming scarce today and probably for the next decades. Less than one-half of 1% of each the piss on the planet comprises the getable fresh and refined peeing (Maude). Humans already substance abused more than than than half of the worlds clear-cut fresh wet and by the year 2025 the pulmonary tuberculosis of freshwater allow increase to three-quarters. Global water consumption becomes double every 20 years and if this disregard continues, the come out of freshwater will not be enough for the demand of the worlds existence by 2025.World Bank and World Heath Organization noted that t here ar aboutwhat 2 billion people direct no gateway to clean and safe water and somewhat 1 billion people consent no enough clean water to meet their quotidian water requirements. Depleted water resources atomic number 18 attributed to the intensive urbanizatio n, deforestation, water diversion, industrial farming and population growth. As the world population increases, the consumption of accessible freshwater may grow six-fold (Maude). As a issuing of water crisis, lots of people suffer and die from water and sanitation related maladys such(prenominal) as diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, and hepatitis.Unfortunately, just about of the poorest countries in the globe are the ones who are experiencing water shortage. Uganda is located at the Sub-Saharan Africa and is among the poorest countries or so the globe. The farming relies only when on agri heathenish industry however, less than half of the arable land is undefendable for cultivation. Large part of the land area (more or less 82%) of the province is arable, however more than 67% of the unpolished has poor ferralitic soil which has nearly lost its mineral content receivable to prolong weathering. Thus, proper soil management is needed for the soil to regain its lost nutrient s.The economy of the country has a great electromotive force, considering the potentials of its agriculture and natural resources. There is a great possibility that Uganda will recoer from difficulties, most particularly from poverty. However, due to some existing problems that the country is facing, it calculates to be difficult for Uganda to escape from poverty. One of the biggest problems that the country is facing today is water crisis. Water crisis definitely ask the country as a integral make fors to Ugandas poverty and worsen her current situation (Dauda, 2003).The country of Uganda is definitely endowed with water resources. most 18% of the total break with area of the country is covered with renewable water resources including lakes, rivers and wetlands. Approximately, it spate confer an individual of Uganda with 2,800 m of water in a year (Dauda, 2003). These fresh water resources are considered as the essential resource for sustaining conduct, preserving the e nvironment, uphold study and alleviating poverty in the country. It has direct impact the quality of life of Ugandans and their productivity as a whole.Water is very essential to Uganda since it plays an essential role in the takings of sufficient provide of food for the country as thoroughly as bringing electric former all over the country. It is the key resource of the countrys agriculture, food processing and other agro-industries which provides recitation to the people of Uganda. Aside from supporting Ugandas agriculture and industry, water similarly provides electric power to the country. Indeed, it is the source of hydropower which is the countrys main resource of abundant and cheap electric power.The socio- economical development of the country depends solely on the slide fastener produced from hydropower. Inadequate power supply cannot support Ugandas large-scale manufacturing industries and agro-industries which may triplet to low economic level of the country (Na tional Water victimization herald, 2005). The major freshwater resources of Uganda include rainfall, originate or open water and groundwater. Rainfall is the most vital source of freshwater of the country. The rainfall shape in the country greatly influences the land use potential and consequently the population dispersion.The rainfall blueprint of Uganda is influenced by the local topography and the presence of Lake Victoria. Rainfall in Uganda tends to increase with altitude mean composition, rainfall is apt to abate with the keep from the lake. High rainfall is noted on the central and western move of Lake Victoria and over the mountain. another(prenominal) cipher that determines the accompaniment of rainfall is the countrys gentle. The most stable rain season in Uganda is from the months of March to whitethorn meanwhile, the reported variable rainy months in Uganda is from October to December (National Water Development draw, 2005).The major freshwater resources of Uganda are in the form of lakes and rivers. These open sources are often used for the supply of hydropower in the country. The major resources of hydropower in Uganda are the Nile River and Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria supports the fisheries industry of Uganda and provide water supply to the bulk of people of Uganda. Indeed, the Lake is also supporting the agriculture industry along its shoreline (National Water Development Report, 2005). However, the Lakes potential use for the future is now in question since it is experiencing dying up which leaves to lower water levels.The visible(prenominal) water left in Lake Victoria may not be enough to sustain the necessitate hydroelectric power generation (Xinhua News Agency). Other water bodies include Kyoga, Albert, George, Edward, Ruizi, Katonga, Kafu, Mpologoma and Aswa (National Water Development Report, 2005). all(prenominal) of these lakes, most especially those on the western and central part are also drying up due to drought w hich threatens the cattle industry in the area. Cattles have little access to water which may lead to lower production direct and low quality of Cattles (Xinhua News Agency).In addition to drought, the quality of surface water has been deteriorating with time. In most parts of the country, surface and ground water are already begrime due to increased urbanization and population as fountainheadspring as human activities such as poor agriethnical practices, poor sanitation practices, industrial waste discharge, and mining activities (National Water Development Report, 2005). Aquifers, which can only be generated and recharged by endogenous precipitation, are also essential resource of freshwater in Uganda. It is the major source of water in rural, semi-arid and arid areas in the country.The occurrence of groundwater is highly dependent on the geologic formation in the country. Uganda is endowed with nut-bearing aquifers water this can be attributed to the geology of Uganda which i s dominated by crystalline Basement Complex of pre-Cambrian age. More than 90% of the country is underlie by different kinds of rocks which preponderantly include granites, granitoid gneisses and gneisses. Ground water resources are generally found on the underground layer of unconsolidated materials such as weathered bedrock, silt and clay.This groundwater can only be extracted through wells. The highest yielding and productive groundwater can be found in weathered-fractured bedrock which has high permeability (National Water Development Report, 2005). In general, the groundwater of Uganda is in good and sound condition. There are no traces of toxic substances that may threaten the health of the people in Uganda. Moreover, these aquifers have substantive amount of minerals such as aluminum, calcium, magnesium metal cations, chloride, iron, manganese and chromium that may not cause harm to the people of Uganda.Consequently, there are few parts of the country that are found to hav e high amounts of these minerals and have traces of high nitrate and chromium levels in some areas. Aside from high amount of minerals, it was also reported that some parts of the country have found to be positive in Coliform bacteria. Contamination of the aquifers is attributed to declination of the borehole casings, leaching of sewage wastes, weathering of aquifer environment as well as poor sanitation condition in the areas around the aquifers (National Water Development Report 2005).In general, the availability and preservation of water resources in Uganda solely relies on various environmental, sociological and cultural factors. The availability of freshwater resources depends on the distribution of water bodies on the country. It is kn possess that freshwater resources in Uganda organize a great part of the country. However, due to its uneven distribution and seasonality, availability of water is still a big problem on most parts of the country. Ugandans find it difficult to have an easy access to fresh and clean water.Women together with their young are spending so much time and energy on walking a mile-long way just to fetch water from areas with sufficient supply of clean water. The uneven distribution of water resources in the country also influences the agro-industry in the country. Cattle raisers tend to transportation system from place to place just to find safe and sufficient water for the cattles. As a result, disease spread and transfer brought by the cattles becomes prevalent on various regions of the country (Xinhua News Agency).Meanwhile, uneven distribution of groundwater greatly influenced the accessibility of Ugandans to clean water. Regions endowed with productive groundwater are indeed well-situated in geologic characteristics (National Water Development Report 2005). The occurrence of extreme weather conditions has a great effect on the availability and safety of water on the country. Heavy rains may cause to flooding and consequen tly may contaminate the water resources of the some regions in the country. Contaminated water may result to more unspoilt problems such as disease outbreaks, epidemics and even death.Contaminated water is the key reason to the high and increasing fatality rate rate of Ugandans especially of infants (National Water Development Report 2005). It is reported that most number of mortality occurs on infants and this can be attributed to less accessibility to clean and safe water. Meanwhile, erratic rainfall and seasonality of the occurrence of rainfall in the country resulted to desertification of arable lands. These definitely affect several industries in the country especially those that greatly depend on water (i. e. agricultural industries) (Dauda, 2003). many of the suspected major reasons of water resources deterioration in Uganda are rapid growth population, urbanization, industrialization, relentless environmental degradation and deforestation as well as pollution. High populat ion density greatly influenced the availability of water resources in Uganda. The population of Uganda in 2007 is approximately 30. 9 million and more than half of it is comprised of infants. The country has an average annual growth rate of 3. 4% which is one of the highest growth rates in the globe. The demand for water relatively increased while the supply decreased with high population density.And as what the country is experiencing, there is no enough clean water for all. Increased population accompanied by urbanization and industrialization resulted to increased pollution and deforestation. nigh of the land bodies are converted to industries which produces toxic wastes that pollute the environment especially water bodies. This contributes to the decreased supply of water in Uganda. Depleted water supply is also attributed to poor agricultural practices in the country such as cultivation, pastoral activities, and livestock practices. Poor sanitation is also identified as a acc omplishable cause of freshwater shortage in Uganda.Some of the land owners that cultivate their own lands seem to be unaware of environmentally sustainable practices. They have poor knowledge on these methods that they do any practices which may pollute their environment. These practices accompanied by poor sanitation will indeed bring damaging effect on Ugandas environment. Poor sanitation practices are among the factors that contribute to depleted water supply and water related diseases in Uganda. Fetching and cleansing water are very labor intensive, considering the outgo that Ugandans walk just to obtain clean and safe water.They often share and obtain polluted water from water resources where farm animals usually dwell. However, as an everyday routine, it became arduous to the people of Uganda to fetch water from distance places and to consume so much time purifying the water that they fetched. People tend to ignore the hap that the contaminated water may bring them they ju st drink the water as ease without purifying it. As a result, development of water related diseases became prevalent in Uganda (Dauda, 2003). Another major factor that leads to water shortage in Uganda is global warming.Majority of Ugandas water table, especially the northern and north part is dry due to global warming and environmental degradation (Dauda, 2003). Global warming may also contribute to the occurrence on the extreme weather condition in the country such as El Nino and La Nina. Moreover, these parts of the country are experiencing wide fluctuations in the availability of water among wet and dry seasons as well as variations in the onset of rainfall as a result of the extreme weather conditions (National Water Development Report 2005).Prolonged drought, which leads to drying up of significant water tables of Uganda, has also threatened the food security in the country. Due to prolonged drought, production of fasten foods of Ugandans such as sorghum and millet relative ly decreased (EuropaWorld). Just like any other country, Uganda is rich in traditions and belief. They value their culture so much it comes to a point that their beliefs and traditions hinder the possibility of development in their country. There are existing cultural norms that are related to the water bodies in Uganda.Some of the water bodies in Uganda are believed to have special healing powers for many diseases and supernatural dwellers as well. Moreover, these water bodies have potentials for many significant uses such as hydropower resource and irrigation for agricultural industries. However, due to keep mum cultural attachment of people of Uganda to these water resources, the government found it difficult to create potential programs that will hone the use of the water resources in the country (National Water Development Report 2005).Aside from various problems verbalize previously that have great impact on freshwater availability, Ugandas neighboring regions seem to contr ibute on the water crisis that it is experiencing. Majority of Ugandas freshwater resources have existing crossing frontiers which bound the country from maximizing its use on its own water resources within its territory. Though they have legal riparian rights to have a share on the water resources, these transboundaries definitely affect the socio-economic growth of the country since water is considered to be as the key player in the development of Uganda (Encounter Uganda Well Health).For one thing, these transboundaries serve as the main competitors of Uganda from the available water resources. People of Uganda have little access to large water resources since they are restricted to come across the boundary of another country. Moreover, these crossing frontiers not only prevent Uganda from optimizing its available freshwater resources but source of food and employment as well (National Water Development Report 2005). In order to unravel the existing problems in Uganda, its govern ment decided to make some modifications on its various sectors, most especially the water sector.Several studies and situational analyses are conducted by the water sector that leads to cooking of comprehensive strategy of water sector and investment strategies. The government has shoutd many factors and they made it possible that the strategies may still be implemented on the sector up to 2015. The government has already started implementing some of the strategies and one of these is Sector Wide Approach to Planning (SWAP). SWAP requires all stakeholders to participate in the supply and implementation of the sectors activities while optimizing benefits for all.The strategy has provided a regular budget on the programs that are made which is relatively different to the previous programs that the sector has made (National Water Development Report 2005). Another significant program that also aimed to promote sustainable management and development of water resources of the riparian regions is the cooperative Partnership Program. The program is focused in improving the coordination of efforts of the different stakeholders. The program is also focused on harmonizing strategies and plans that involves sustainable management and development of the shared water resources.This makes Uganda very eager to have a close relationship with its neighboring regions. Uganda became enthusiastic with regard to making joint plan, management and development of the water resources that they shared. Ugandas aim on making collaboration with her transboundaries is for all of them to obtain fair benefits from the water resources as well as to ensure that they will get sufficient supply of clean water. Fair utilization and consumption of shared water provide a high opportunity for sustainable use of resources as well as sustainable growth and development.Moreover, Uganda will be able to support its economic and social objectives through collaborating with its cross frontiers (Nationa l Water Development Report 2005). The riparian countries including Uganda will have comparable advantages from the equitable use of shared water. While building a close relationship with the riparian countries, the potentials of the existing industries in Uganda may be developed through collaboration with her neighboring regions. Advancement in its industries may lead to economic development of the country and in turn advancement on the quality of life and well world of its whole nation.Meanwhile, there are potential conflicts identified in the implementation of collaboration program between the riparian countries. Aside from the common objective that the riparian countries agreed on making the joint collaboration, these countries also have different interests which make a potential conflict between them. They made plans and implemented projects which do not take into consideration the wide coverage of the shared water resources. They do not anticipate the possible conflicts that m ay arise by implanting their plans.As a result, some of their individual plans for the development of their own countries are contradicting with the plans of other countries. Plans of other countries will not be possible if other countries plan will be allowed. Another issue that makes the joint program complicated is the mistrust among the cross frontiers. This issue seems to be unavoidable since the riparian countries have different objectives and interest in joining the joint program. They refuse to charge their own data regarding the shared water resources as well as information of their plans and strategies.Since the riparian countries have no idea of the plans and programs of other riparian countries there are instances that the individual projects implemented are the said(prenominal) with other countries (National Water Development Report 2005). The last issue identified is the restoration of the environment. One of the chela objectives of the joint program is to conserve t he environment however, it is found to be difficult to implement their plans and projects while not taking into consideration the possible negative effect that it may bring to their environment.The main concern here is the methods of the activities and projects as well as the way these are conducted. Countries located on the downstream of the shared water resources are threatened by the possible effect of the activities that the upstream countries are conducting. Also due to mistrust, they are not guaranteed that the upstream countries are performing the activities in a proper way. It is essential that both the upstream and downstream countries will conduct their programs and projects in such a way that these programs will not affect that conservation of environment that they are promoting in the country.Through this little start, there will be a great possibility that their countries will surpass big problems such as water crisis and most of all poverty.ReferencesBarlow, Maude. The global water crisis and the Commodification of the worlds water supply A Special Report issued by the International Forum on Globalization (IFG). Retrieved May 30, 2008, from http//www. thirdworldtraveler. com/Water/Global_Trade_BG. html Toure, Dauda. 2003. The Millennium Development Goals circulate Report for Uganda. Retrieved May30, 2008, from http//www. undg.org/archive_docs/6197-Denmark_MDG_Report. pdf 2005. National Water Development Report Uganda. Retrieved May 30, 2008, from http//www. unesdoc. unesco. org/images/0014/001467/146760E. pdf Xinhua News Agency. 2006. Lakes in Uganda dry up due to prolonged drought. Retrieved May 29, 2008, from highbeam. com/doc database. Encounter Uganda Well Health. Retrieved May 29, 2008 from water_website database. EuropaWorld. 2003, February 21. Northern Uganda The Forgotten Crisis. Retrieved May 29, 2008, from http//www. europaworld. org/week117/northernuganda21203. htm