Data Bases • Custom Term Papers • Free Term Papers • Free Research Papers • Free Essays • Free Book Reports • Plagiarism? Links • Top 100 Term Paper Sites • Top 25 Essay Sites • Top 50 Essay Sites • Search 97,000 Papers @ DirectEssays.com • Search 101,000 Papers @ ExampleEssays.com • Search 90,000 Papers @ MegaEssays.com Free Essays • Term Paper Sites • Chuck III's Free Essays • Free College Essays • TermPaperSites.com • My Term Papers • Get Free Essays • Essay World • Planet Papers	Search Lots of Essays Back to Subjects - Environmental Science Water Issues in Kenya Water Issues in Kenya Water is a bare necessity both for the survival of an individual and a nation. Freshwater scarcity has become a global concern as the projected worldwide demand on water exceeds supplies. Less developed countries in particular are currently suffering from severe water shortages and water contamination. “…half the population of our “civilized” world suffers today with water services inferior to those of the ancient Greeks and Romans…In many developing countries, cholera, dysentery, and other water related diseases are on the upswing.” (Gleick,1999) Kenya, Africa is one such case. Kenya’s population is approximately 105,000, with a high infant mortality rate and an average life expectancy of 58. Average water conditions are illustrated in Embu, where only 15% of the population had access to safe water as early as ten years ago. Lack of organized regulation and misuse of available resources threatens healthy water supplies in Kenya; however, work is being done to solve the problem. Several factors play a part in poor water quality. Kenya has an uneven distribution of water resources. Water systems are highly stressed, including Lakes Victoria, Nakuru, and Naivasha, as well as Rivers Nzoia, Nyando, Turkwell, Kerio, Athi, Voi, Tana, and Ewaso Ng’iro. “Misuse of Kenya’s water resources threatens the supply in the next century … consumption of water, both in agriculture and industry, would have greatly outstripped supply by the next century.” (http://www.africanews.org, 1997) Many sources, such as Turkana, have salinity levels too high for use. Extensive irrigation from rivers causes water levels to drop allowing more pollutants into water resources. Arid climates in many regions see only 26 – 48 inches of rain per year, which occurs mainly in violent storms that cause erosion and leaching of nutrients from soil. Most crops are harvested in poor soil and produce low yields, providing inadequate nutrition and food supplies. Poverty and poor education contribute to the problem. Farmers are in very disadvantageous economic conditions to improve their land or equipment. The people of Kenya prove to have very little education on hygiene, bacteria, or water born viruses. Government inefficiency is contributing to the problem. Although the Kenyan legislature has instituted the National Irrigation Board, the agency is weak and fails to effectively enforce regulations on consumption and pollution. It is estimated that 80% of current water abstractions have no permits and inspectors rarely monitor those that do. Also, Kenya is not a member of any convention that deals with waters shared across national boundaries. However, government efforts are currently being made to improve the situation in Kenya. The Lake Naivasha Riparian Owner’s Association is working on an environmental management plan. Steps have been taken to promote more advanced agricultural techniques such as intercropping and soil and water conservation. Proper uses of agrochemicals are being encouraged along with development of organic farms, which are less environmentally threatening. Outside agencies such as PLAN International are making huge progressive developments in Kenya. PLAN is working with issues of water shortages, poverty, and poor health by assisting communities financially and technologically. They are helping people install wells, latrines, and irrigation systems, as well as extending credit for equipment and providing drought resistant seeds to increase agricultural production. Communities are being educated in water well maintenance, and parts have been made inexpensive and easily obtainable. It has been estimated that a single bore well can provide year-round water for 250 people, even in a dry season. Convenience of travel and use to obtain water has greatly improved life in Kenya. The average round trip to get water is now less than an hour, compared to 4 hours and 20 minutes previously. This allows more time to devote to farming and studies. Water related diseases have become less prevalent since the onset of these developments. Although improvements are being made, new problems accompany these solutions. Many people, such as the villagers of Gachoka, still used water from dirty streams or scooped rainwater from the ground even after the installation of the bore wells. This did not help improve health conditions. There are no organized meetings to discuss management of the new clean water sources, and little education in health and hygiene. Villagers complain that it’s cheaper to get water from the river, the lines to the pump are too long, and the dues paid on the pumps are not being fairly used. “Monitoring and evaluation can bring to light mistakes in order to strengthen and improve the program. Mistakes are inevitable in any new kind of experience for communities.” (http://www.irdc.ca/, 1999) Kenya’s water problem is improving as a result of advancing technology. However, education remains a lacking part of the equation. “A key aspect of the campaign is villagers’ awareness of the health and sanitation benefits from using bore wells.” (http://www.irdc.ca/, 1999) Organized maintenance and distribution of water from wells and other sources is crucial to forming a healthy and self-reliant Kenya. Bibliography: Bibliography Africa News homepage. 1997 Online. World Wide Web. 9/25/99. Available: http://www.africanews.org http://www.irdc.ca/books/focus/804/chap7.html 1999 Online. World Wide Web. 9/25/99 Available: http://www.irdc.ca/books/focus/804/chap7.html Gleick, Peter H., (1999). The World’s Water The Biennial Report on Freshwater Resources. Washington D.C.: Island Press. Word Count: 813
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