While water scarcity is a serious issue that affects more than 748 million people globally, no region has been more affected than Sub-Saharan Africa.
Poverty has become an epidemic in parts of Africa due to political instability, ethnic conflicts, and a general lack of necessary resources like safe, clean, and properly sanitized water. An increase in pollution and the destruction of river catchments have also contributed to a decrease in freshwater.
Understanding how and why the water crisis in Africa has occurred is important to get more people involved in this cause. The Last Well is a charity that works in Africa with a primary goal of providing people in Liberia with safe, clean drinking water.
Understanding how and why the water crisis in Africa has occurred is important to get more people involved in this cause. The Last Well is a charity that works in Africa with a primary goal of providing people in Liberia with safe, clean drinking water.
7 Facts About The Water Crisis In Africa
Here are a few interesting facts about the water crisis in Africa and how you can get involved and make a difference in the lives of millions of men, women, and children throughout Liberia.
1. 40 Percent of Sub-Saharan Africa is Without Access to Clean Water: North Africa has made great strides to provide safe, clean water to its inhabitants. Today, North Africa has 92 percent coverage and this number continues to increase. Unfortunately, Sub-Saharan Africa has just 61 percent coverage and is improving at a slow rate.
This means that 40 percent of the 783 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa are without access to a safe water source for drinking.
2. Nearly Half of Africa’s Population Suffered a Water-Related Disease in 1997: Waterborne diseases are caused by various infections through the use or drinking of polluted water. Pathogens, along with climate changes, floods, and heavy precipitation, can affect the quality of drinking water. Some of the most common waterborne diseases include cholera, amebic dysentery, typhoid, and hepatitis A.
In 1997, about half of Africa’s population suffered from at least one major water-related illness and many people in the region continue to suffer the effects of unclean water.
3. Mining Disasters are a Common Cause of Water Pollution: While there are a number of causes of polluted water in Africa, one of the main contributors is mining disasters. In 1994, a bulk carrier sank in Cape Town spilling 2,400 tons of oil from the vessel. In the same year, a tailings dam failed near Merriespruit leaving 600,000 cubic meters of toxic fluid covering parts of town.
In 2014, the tailing dams of a mining firm in South Africa failed to cause major pollution in the rivers in Kruger National Park. These types of mining disasters resulted in countless illnesses and numerous deaths.
4. Water Stress Occurs in 14 African Countries: Water stress occurs when water resources in a region are insufficient for that particular area’s needs. Water stress can have a number of causes, such as climate change and altered weather patterns. In Africa, there are currently fourteen countries that experience water stress.
If something is not done to prevent further water scarcity, another 11 countries are expected to suffer water stress in the upcoming years.
5. Two-Thirds of Sub-Saharan Africa Rely on Surface Water: Surface water refers to water sources found on the surface of the planet, such as lake, river, wetland, or ocean water. Due to the presence of various pollutants, surface water is not considered a reliable and safe source of drinking water. In fact, surface water should never be consumed unless first filtered and disinfected.
Unfortunately, two-thirds of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa relies mostly or completely on surface water for drinking and other purposes.
6. Families Must Travel to Get Water: Families in Africa are not able to turn on a tap in their kitchen for freshwater. Instead, they must travel far distances to gain access to water and bring it home to their household. This is often the job of the woman in the family and a bucket of water can weigh upwards of 40 pounds or more. Most women in Africa are forced to make this trip at least once a day.
Although an effort is to have clean water at home, the water that they take back and forth is still unclean and unsafe to drink.
7. There are 677 Lakes throughout Africa: Due to the water crisis in Africa, you may think that the continent has very little access to water overall. However, this is not true. In fact, there are a total of 677 lakes which makes Africa the continent with the largest volume of non-frozen water. The problem is not a lack of water, but the lack of clean drinking water.
How to Get Involved:
As the water crisis in Africa becomes more widely known, more and more people are stepping forward to help make a difference in the lives of millions of families.
For more information about contributing to a charity for Africa, contact The Last Well today.
Nakiso Borehole Drilling: Your Trusted Partner for Safe, Sustainable Water Access
At Nakiso Borehole Drilling, we are your comprehensive partner for unlocking reliable water on your property. Our highly skilled team tackles all drilling projects, from standard boreholes to specialized Blast Hole and RC Drilling. We handle everything in-house for a seamless experience, encompassing expert borehole siting, efficient drilling, and pump installation – solar, electric, or manual – tailored to your specific needs. With Nakiso, your reliable water source is just a drill away.We don't just strive to be the best; we maintain the industry's strictest quality standards and are committed to sustainable practices for the future of Zimbabwe's water security.
For All Your Borehole Drilling Services Contact Us:
Five Facts About Borehole Drilling That You Need To Take Note Of:
1. Know Your Borehole Casings:The Preferred Borehole Casing In Zimbabwe Is Class 9 and 10 (Pressure Classes.)This is because Class 9 and Class 10 Casings are more collapse resistant. The strength of a Casing is often described as collapse resistance.
2. Borehole Drilling Depth: The exact depth, of where the water is located, cannot be established by the drilling contractor nor the Water Surveyor (Borehole Siter).
3. The Is No 100% Guarantee On Water: It is important to note that it is never a 100% guarantee that any hole will yield water, the amount and water quality can also not be guaranteed by the drilling contractor and water surveyor.
4. Borehole Siting or Water Surveying Is Important: Making use of a hydrologist or traditional water diviner will increase your chances of having a successful borehole that will yield a sufficient amount of water.
5. Know The Risks: The risk of the borehole drilling lies with the property owner. The client will still be liable for the drilling costs irrespective of a borehole yielding water or not.
Your smile is our commitment!
Our Branches and Our Contacts
Churchill Ave Branch
Business Offices (HQ):55 Churchill Avenue,
Alexandra Park,
Harare North,
Zimbabwe.
Call Us Today:
Office Numbers: +263 867 71 88844
Sales: +263 78 860 8009
Operations: +263 78 860 8005
Marketing: +263 78 876 6701
Email: info@nakisoboreholes.co.zw
Website: www.nakisoboreholes.co.zw
Bluff Hill Branch
Business Offices:36 St. Anthans Drive,
Bluff Hill,
Harare,
Zimbabwe.
Call Us Today:
Office Numbers: +263 71 494 0883
Sales: +263 78 860 8009
Operations: +263 78 860 8005
Marketing: +263 78 876 6701
Email: info@nakisoboreholes.co.zw
Website: www.nakisoboreholes.co.zw
