It’s no secret that water is vitally important; it is one of the absolute essentials for life. And its impact extends far into other important issues — including issues that impact poverty.
Here are four such issues where poverty and water intersect:
1. Health: Proper hygiene is one of the best ways we have to ward off preventable diseases. The current COVID-19 pandemic is driving this point home stronger than ever, as hand-washing is one of the best tools we have in slowing the spread of the disease.
Yet today, over half of the global population, or 4.2 billion people, lack safe sanitation, and two out of five people lack basic hand-washing facilities at home. This is not only an issue for those who are trying to prevent COVID-19 but an issue in fighting off preventable diseases in general.
Sanitation and access to drinking water pose even more threats to health. One in three people worldwide doesn’t have access to safe drinking water, and over half the world doesn’t have access to safe sanitation. If everyone did have universal access to drinking water, plus good sanitation and hygiene, we would reduce the global disease burden by 10%.
These health considerations also affect a person’s economic stability. Sickness can prevent someone from going to work or school, which lowers their ability to earn income. Additionally, the cost of transportation to the doctor, medical costs, and other costs that come from being sick can impact a person’s spending ability. As a result, investments in drinking water and sanitation have a greater return to the global economy.
2. Agriculture: Access to water has a major impact on food security. Without enough water, the ability to grow enough food is jeopardized. On a global scale, this becomes an even bigger problem.
The world’s population is expected to reach 9.7 billion people by 2050, meaning that global food security will become even more critical. This poses a challenge, as competition for water is expected to increase in the future. Additionally, growth in agriculture is more effective in reducing poverty than growth in any other sector. Having enough water for food production is therefore crucial to addressing food security and poverty.
When farmers are unable to maintain their crops due to lack of water, it can cause additional issues. Pedro Dhila, a farmer in northern Namibia, left his farm after a drought destroyed his crops. He, like many people living in rural areas, moved to cities throughout Namibia, where they have had to deal with overcrowded living situations, poor sanitation, and health and safety risks.
When water is one of the causes of conflict, it often comes down to how water supply is managed. The quality of water, how much is available, and how easy it is to access all factor into water security. When people experience insecurity, it can affect their trust in the government if the water supply isn’t being handled in an effective way or is influenced by corruption. It can also lead to water disputes between people and communities.
On the flip side, conflict can make water security even worse. In some instances, water can be used as a weapon through controlling, contaminating, or blocking access to the supply. It can also affect things like infrastructure, maintenance, or regulation. This can make accessing water more difficult, even if it is not an active factor in the conflict.
4. Gender inequality: Gender-specific issues relating to water can impact economic opportunities for women in a variety of ways.
When water is not available within a household, women and girls are responsible for collecting water four out of five times. This can greatly affect the amount of time women and girls have for school or work, which carries long-term consequences. Girls who carry water over long distances are less likely to go to school. Women who carry water also carry a greater amount of unpaid domestic work, leaving less time to do work that generates income.
Lack of water also affects women in terms of sanitation needs. Women and girls have a greater need for water during menstruation, pregnancy, and caregiving. When those needs are not met, women and girls cannot fully participate in society. This can limit girls’ ability to go to school, and the ability to expect and current mothers to work.
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.
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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.
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Business Offices: 65 Churchill Avenue, Alexandra Park, Harare North, Zimbabwe.
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Office Numbers: +263 867 71 88844
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Email: info@nakisoboreholes.co.zw
Website: www.nakisoboreholes.co.zw
