The importance of water storage in Africa
The African continent has a water crisis. In 1995 only thirteen countries in Africa were water-stressed. This number will increase to twenty-five countries by 2025. The continent is urgently addressing these risks. While many long term solutions exist, water storage in Africa has proved to be the most effective solution so far.
What are the key water scarcity problems?
The key problems that arise from poor access to water are:
- The lack of available water supply
- The spread of disease due to poor sanitation
- The limited control of the water supply
Solutions to the problems:
Most of the solutions proposed to resolve the problem are long-term solutions. Some of them include population growth control, the recycling of wastewater, and improvements to existing water policies. Water storage is the most effective solution so far.
A household or farm can install a water tank quickly. The owner can use and benefit from the tank as soon as it rains. Population growth control and other long term measures are effective but do not solve the average household’s immediate needs. This results in water storage being a more popular solution.
Many farmers and business owners do not have the time or money to build a new dam or wait for a policy to change. A water tank will ensure that a farmer will have water for his family during times of drought.
In summary, water storage resolves the key water scarcity problems in the following manner:
1. The lack of available water supply
The average rainfall in Africa is comparable to other continents, but it evaporates at a much higher rate. Human created problems such as the pollution of streams and over-pumping of water also contribute to the lack of water supply.
Installing a water tank ensure will help reduce the vast distances people need to travel to collect clean water for their households. It will also ensure that businesses and farmers have enough water to sustain their operations when the water is not available.
2. The spread of disease and basic sanitation
A variety of diseases, such as cholera, are spread by exposure to unsafe drinking water. Health facilities that help manage these diseases also struggle with this access.
Installing water tanks closer to households will prevent the consumption of disease-carrying water. It will also help health facilities support people with water-related and other diseases.
3. The limited control of the water supply
Over 90% of agriculture in Africa depends on rainfall. Rainfall in Africa fluctuates more every year than on other continents. The excess water from one year is therefore not stored and used in the following year.
Installing water tanks or reservoirs will help farmers save water. This saved water ensures they will have water even when there is no rainfall.
How to get access to a water tank?
If you want to find out more about water tanks or how to install one, please contact Rainbow Tanks or visit their website https://www.rainbowtanks.co.za.