Air Pollution's Impact On Africa's Water Sources

Air pollution is a pressing issue in Africa, with the continent experiencing some of the worst air pollution and severe health consequences globally. In 2019, air pollution was linked to approximately 1.1 million deaths in Africa, with household air pollution from indoor cookstoves and polluting fuels accounting for a significant portion. This pollution has far-reaching impacts on health, human capital, and the economy, with Africa's growing population, urbanization, and industrialization exacerbating the problem.

While the direct effects of air pollution on Africa's water resources are not widely discussed, it is evident that water pollution is a significant issue in Africa, with human activities such as industrial waste, agricultural contaminants, sewage infrastructure, and plastic waste contributing to the degradation of freshwater sources. This has severe consequences for human health, flora and fauna, and social development, with water scarcity and waterborne diseases being prevalent issues. Therefore, understanding the interplay between air pollution and water pollution in Africa is crucial for addressing these interconnected environmental challenges and their impacts on the continent's health, economy, and ecosystems.

Air pollution from fossil fuels is a major contributor to water pollution in Africa

South Africa's electricity sector's reliance on fossil fuels is one of the main reasons for the high levels of nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide in the air. The burning of sulphur-containing fossil fuels for domestic heating, power generation, and motor vehicles releases sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere. When sulphur dioxide combines with water, it forms sulfuric acid, the main component of acid rain, which causes deforestation.

In addition to outdoor air pollution, indoor air pollution from inefficient cooking fuels and technologies, such as solid fuels and kerosene, produces high levels of household air pollution. This is particularly detrimental in poorly ventilated dwellings, where women and children are at high risk of exposure to fine particles and soot, leading to respiratory issues and increased risk of pneumonia, ischaemic heart disease, and lung cancer.

The impact of air pollution from fossil fuels extends beyond the atmosphere, as it contributes to water pollution in Africa. For example, the UmBilo river system in Durban, South Africa, is heavily polluted due to years of unchecked pollution from industry and inefficient and degraded sewage infrastructure. This water pollution has affected the health of surrounding communities and threatened ecologically sensitive biospheres.

Furthermore, Africa's water sources are facing threats from plastic waste shipped from the Global North, agricultural contaminants, and raw sewage. These issues highlight the urgent need for improved waste management, reduced reliance on fossil fuels, and the implementation of policies to address water pollution and ensure access to clean water for all Africans.

Poor waste management and sewage infrastructure cause water pollution

Africa's freshwater sources are being polluted by human activity, threatening the very species that depend on it for survival. Water pollution is one of the biggest environmental threats to Africa, with thousands of communities relying on freshwater lakes for survival.

Poor Waste Management

The inadequate management of urban, industrial, and agricultural wastewater means the drinking water of millions of people is contaminated or chemically polluted. In 2010, the UN General Assembly recognised the human right to water and sanitation, yet in 2020, 38% of healthcare facilities in low- and middle-income countries lacked an improved water source, 19% did not have improved sanitation, and 35% lacked water and soap for handwashing. This lack of access to clean water and sanitation increases the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, and other tropical diseases.

Inefficient Sewage Infrastructure

In addition to poor waste management, inefficient sewage infrastructure is also causing water pollution. In South Africa, raw or partially treated sewage flows into rivers and dams, harming fragile ecosystems and people who drink the water. This is due to broken pipes and poorly managed treatment plants. In 2006, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) found that the plants were producing effluent that was barely distinguishable from raw sewage, blaming gross underbudgeting and managers' insufficient understanding of wastewater treatment technology.

Water Pollution in Africa

Water pollution in Africa is on the rise, with Kenya's rivers, dams, and natural lakes filled with polluted water unsafe for human consumption. The waters of Lake Victoria and Lake Nakuru in Kenya are being choked by agricultural contaminants, raw sewage, plastic, and nutrient-dense fish waste. In South Africa, the UmBilo river in KwaZulu Natal is also threatened by water pollution, with the water changing colour and killing plant and animal species.

Africa's fragile infrastructure is struggling to keep up with its growing population, and the effects are evident in the rise of water pollution. Greenpeace Africa is working to raise awareness of the causes and effects of water pollution and its impact on vulnerable communities and ecosystems.

Plastic waste from the Global North is polluting Africa's rivers and oceans

Plastic waste is a significant contributor to Africa's water pollution. While Africa produces only 5% and consumes 4% of global plastic, the impact of plastic waste from the Global North is evident in the pollution of Africa's rivers and oceans.

Africa is particularly vulnerable to the effects of plastic pollution due to a lack of proper waste management strategies and infrastructure. The improper disposal of plastic waste, such as burning, is common in some regions of Africa, releasing harmful pollutants into the air and contaminating water sources. In addition, the accumulation of plastic waste can create breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes, further exacerbating health risks for vulnerable communities.

The impact of plastic waste from the Global North is evident in the high levels of plastic pollution found in Africa's rivers and oceans. It is estimated that 19-23 million tons of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems each year, with the Nile and the Niger rivers being significant contributors. The problem is further compounded by the import of plastic waste into Africa, with 33 African countries importing approximately 31.5 million tons of plastic products between 1990 and 2017.

The plastic waste crisis in Africa is a complex issue with far-reaching consequences. The burning of plastic waste, for example, has immediate health impacts on nearby communities, releasing toxic gases and particulate matter that can cause respiratory issues and contribute to air pollution-related diseases. In addition, the accumulation of plastic waste in aquatic ecosystems can alter habitats and natural processes, reducing ecosystems' ability to adapt to climate change and directly affecting millions of people's livelihoods, food production, and social well-being.

Efforts to address plastic pollution in Africa have been gaining momentum. Around 30 African countries have banned single-use plastic bags, and the World Bank is involved at every stage of the plastic lifecycle, supporting countries with projects worth over $2.5 billion focusing on plastic pollution management and prevention. However, more needs to be done to improve the effectiveness of policies and capacity for monitoring and evaluating solutions.

Waterborne diseases are a major threat to public health in Africa

Africa experiences some of the worst air pollution and most severe health consequences globally. Air pollution was linked to 1.1 million deaths in 2019, with 236,000 of those being newborns.

Inadequate management of urban, industrial, and agricultural wastewater means the drinking water of hundreds of millions of people is dangerously contaminated or chemically polluted. This leads to an increased risk of waterborne diseases, including diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, and other water-borne tropical diseases. Diarrhoeal diseases alone are estimated to cause 502,000 deaths each year, with Africa contributing to 53% of the cases reported globally.

Unsafe water sources can contain major pathogens, such as Escherichia coli, which are associated with moderate to severe diarrhoea, especially threatening the lives of infants. Water-washed diseases include trachoma, an eye infection that can lead to blindness. Water-related aquatic vector-borne diseases include schistosomiasis, caused by parasitic worms, and guinea-worm disease.

Access to clean, healthy water is a fundamental human right, and it is essential for life and good health. Safe and readily available water is important for public health, whether used for drinking, cooking, food production, or recreational purposes.

Lack of access to clean water is a violation of human rights

Africa is facing a water crisis. Water pollution in Africa is on the rise, with rivers, dams, and natural lakes filled with polluted water that is unsafe for human consumption. This is due to agricultural contaminants, raw sewage, plastic waste, and nutrient-dense fish waste. In addition, thousands of tons of plastic waste are shipped to countries like South Africa and Kenya each year, which ends up in fragile river and dam ecosystems, causing further water pollution.

Water is essential for life, and access to clean, healthy water is a fundamental human right. Unfortunately, water scarcity affects 1 in 3 people in Africa, and the problem is getting worse due to population growth, urbanization, and increased household and industrial use. Lack of access to clean water increases the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, and other tropical diseases. It also leads to sanitation issues, forcing people to defecate in the open, near rivers, or in areas where children play, resulting in 115 deaths every hour in the African region.

The United Nations recognizes access to water and sanitation as human rights, fundamental to everyone's health, dignity, and prosperity. The UN General Assembly Resolution 64/292 asserts the human right to receive safe, affordable, and clean accessible water and sanitation services. However, billions of people worldwide still lack access to safely managed water and sanitation, and marginalized groups often face discrimination in accessing these services.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported that 663 million people did not have access to improved sources of drinking water in 2015, and this number has grown to 2.1 billion people as of 2022. Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the regions most affected by the lack of access to clean water, with 1.5 million children under five dying each year from water- and sanitation-related diseases.

Improving access to clean water and sanitation is crucial for public health, poverty reduction, and achieving sustainable development goals. It is essential to address the inequalities in access to water and sanitation services, eliminate discrimination, and prioritize the needs of marginalized groups to ensure that everyone can enjoy their fundamental human right to clean water and sanitation.

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