Polluted Waters: Nations With The Dirtiest Aquatic Environments

Water quality is a critical factor in ensuring the long-term health of citizens and the sustainability of a country's water supply. While water accessibility is improving worldwide, billions of people still lack easy access to clean drinking water. This is due to a combination of natural and man-made factors, including growing populations, irrigated agriculture, livestock, energy production, manufacturing, and climate change. The following introduction will discuss countries with the most polluted water, highlighting the impact of water stress and plastic pollution on the environment and human health.

Niger: 40% of the population lives on less than $2.15 a day

Water quality is a critical issue for the survival of mankind and all life on Earth. While access to clean water is improving globally, billions of people still lack easy access to clean drinking water. UNICEF estimates that in 2022, 5.8 billion people had access to safely managed drinking water, while another 2.2 billion people did not.

One of the countries with the most polluted water is Niger, where 40% of the population lives on less than $2.15 a day. Niger is the largest country in West Africa and is among the poorest in the world. Most people in Niger are farmers, and they face water shortages and frequent droughts in arid, desert-like conditions. The lack of access to clean water and sanitation is a significant issue in Niger, and organizations like World Vision are working to address this problem. In 2019, World Vision helped bring clean drinking water sources to 101,100 people and served 98,000 with household sanitation.

The issue of water pollution is not unique to Niger, and other countries also struggle with access to clean water. For example, in Angola, nearly one-quarter of the population relies on unsafe surface water sources, and women and girls bear the burden of carrying water for their families. Papua New Guinea, one of the most disaster-prone countries in the region, also faces challenges with water access and sanitation due to frequent cyclones and flooding events that damage infrastructure.

Water stress, the ratio of water demand to renewable supply, is another critical factor affecting water availability. Countries facing extreme water stress use at least 80% of their available supply, and this vulnerability can lead to water shortages. Regions like the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia are highly water-stressed, and demand is projected to increase significantly in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2050.

Additionally, plastic pollution in oceans is a significant concern, with China and Indonesia being the top sources of plastic waste in global waters, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. These issues highlight the importance of addressing water pollution and ensuring access to clean water for all.

Papua New Guinea: frequent natural disasters damage infrastructure

While access to clean water is improving worldwide, billions of people still lack easy access to it. Niger, the largest country in West Africa, is among the worst for access to clean water. Over 40% of Niger's population lives on less than $2.15 a day, and most people farm, so they struggle with water shortages and frequent droughts in arid, desert-like conditions. Nearly a quarter of Angola's population uses unsafe water sources, and in Mozambique, rural populations and people in the north are the worst off for clean water and sanitation.

Papua New Guinea, one of the most disaster-prone countries in the region, frequently experiences cyclones and flooding events that damage infrastructure, homes, and crops. The country sits along a volatile seismic strip called the "Ring of Fire" in the Pacific, making it susceptible to volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis. Seismic and volcanic activity is more likely near Rabaul in East New Britain province, Kimbe in West New Britain province, and on Manam Island in Madang province. The country has a number of active and extinct volcanoes, and earthquakes can cause significant damage, as seen in the 7.6-magnitude earthquake in Morobe province in September 2022, which also affected the Highlands and Madang province.

The frequent natural disasters in Papua New Guinea have detrimental effects on the country's infrastructure. For example, the Manam Island volcano, one of the country's most active, erupted in August 2018, forcing thousands to flee to the mainland. The Kadovar Island volcano erupted in January 2018, leading to an evacuation of the island. These volcanic eruptions, along with earthquakes and cyclones, can damage buildings, roads, and other critical infrastructure, hindering access to clean water and sanitation.

The impact of natural disasters on Papua New Guinea's infrastructure is further exacerbated by the country's geographical characteristics. Being comprised of over 600 Asia Pacific islands, many communities in Papua New Guinea are remote and scattered, making it challenging to provide consistent access to clean water and sanitation. The tropical cyclone season, typically from November to May, increases the risk of flooding and landslides, especially in rural areas. These natural disasters not only damage infrastructure but also destroy crops, affecting food security and the overall resilience of families and communities.

To address these challenges, organizations like World Vision are supporting work in Papua New Guinea to boost health systems and build resilience. Their efforts include improving access to water and promoting hygiene behavior change. Innovative methods, such as rainwater catchment systems and tanks, are being utilized to provide clean water access in the country. By strengthening infrastructure and enhancing disaster preparedness, Papua New Guinea can mitigate the impact of frequent natural disasters and improve the well-being of its citizens.

Angola: nearly a quarter of the population uses unsafe water sources

Water is essential for the survival of mankind and all other life on Earth. However, water quality and access to clean water vary significantly across the globe. While water accessibility is improving worldwide, billions of people still lack easy access to clean drinking water. In 2022, more than a quarter of the world's population (2.2 billion people) did not have safe and easy access to drinking water.

Angola is one of the countries facing significant challenges in terms of water access and quality. Nearly a quarter of Angola's 28.2 million people rely on unsafe water sources, such as surface rivers or ponds. This situation disproportionately affects women and girls, who are often responsible for carrying heavy jerrycans of dirty water to meet their families' needs. The lack of access to clean water has implications not only for health but also for education and economic opportunities.

The southern provinces of Angola have been particularly affected by water scarcity due to consecutive droughts and erratic weather patterns. Lubango, the country's third-largest city, has struggled with depleted underground water resources due to a decrease in rainfall. As a result, residents, businesses, and institutions have had to adapt to an intermittent water supply. The situation in Lubango highlights the trade-offs between high population growth and limited water resources.

To address these challenges, organizations like World Vision International (WVI) have been working in Angola to improve access to clean water and sanitation facilities. WVI's interventions include drilling new boreholes, restoring non-functioning water systems, and providing technical assistance for the construction of improved latrines. They also work with schools and health centers to ensure that children and their families have access to clean water. As a result of these efforts, communities have seen health benefits, and women and girls have gained more time for education and other activities.

In addition to access issues, water quality is a significant concern in Angola. Studies have been conducted to assess the quality of water in Angolan rivers, such as the Kwanza, Bengo, and Dande rivers. While the water quality in these rivers was suitable for treatment and drinking water production in the dry season, it became unsuitable in the rainy season due to high levels of faecal coliforms and organic pollutants. These pollutants are dragged into the rivers by heavy rainfall, making the water unsafe for consumption.

Nigeria: 29.1% of the population lacks access to safely managed water

Nigeria is the 19th country on the list of countries with the smallest population shares with access to safely managed drinking water services. 29.1% of the population, or 11,883,000 people, lack access to safe water. This is a significant issue, as water accessibility is a basic human need and essential for survival.

Nigeria is not alone in facing water access challenges. Globally, billions of people still lack easy access to clean drinking water, and the situation is particularly acute in sub-Saharan Africa, where over half of the people without basic access reside. UNICEF defines safely managed drinking water as water from a local source that is available on-site, available when needed, and free from contamination. However, in developing and least-developed countries, testing for water safety may be inconsistent and unreliable, making it difficult to ensure the long-term health of citizens and the sustainability of water supplies.

Several factors contribute to water stress and scarcity in Nigeria and other countries. One key factor is the increasing global demand for water, which has more than doubled since 1960 due to growing populations and water-intensive industries such as irrigated agriculture, livestock farming, energy production, and manufacturing. In Nigeria, water shortages and droughts further exacerbate the problem, especially in arid and desert-like conditions. Additionally, a lack of investment in water infrastructure and unsustainable water use policies can affect the available water supply.

To address these challenges, countries can take several key steps. Improving water governance, incentivizing water efficiency in agriculture, adopting integrated water resource management, and enhancing water infrastructure through nature-based solutions and green infrastructure can help reduce water stress and improve access to safe water. Community groups, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations, such as World Vision, play a crucial role in this regard by working with local communities and governments to create sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs.

Sub-Saharan Africa: demand for water is expected to skyrocket by 163% by 2050

Water quality is a critical issue globally, and access to clean drinking water is a challenge for many countries. While water accessibility is improving worldwide, billions still lack easy access to clean water. UNICEF defines drinking water as "safely managed" when it is free from contamination and available on-site when needed. According to their 2022 data, while 5.8 billion people had access to safely managed drinking water, 2.2 billion did not.

Sub-Saharan Africa faces significant water challenges, and the demand for water in this region is expected to surge by 163% by 2050. This increase far outpaces other regions, with Latin America, the second-highest region, projected to experience a 43% rise in water demand. The surge in Sub-Saharan Africa is attributed to irrigation and domestic water supply needs and could drive economic growth in the region, which is already projected to be the fastest-growing economy globally.

However, inefficient water use and unsustainable water management practices threaten to lower Sub-Saharan Africa's GDP by 6%. The region's rapid population growth and urbanization are putting a strain on water systems. Additionally, water-reliant industries and political stability are at risk. To address these challenges, investments in water-use efficiency and sustainable water management practices are crucial.

Several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, such as Niger, Angola, Mozambique, Nigeria, Lesotho, and Senegal, already struggle with water accessibility and sanitation issues. For example, in Niger, the largest country in West Africa, over 40% of the population lives in poverty, and water shortages and droughts are common due to arid conditions. Similarly, in Angola, nearly a quarter of the population relies on unsafe water sources, and women and girls bear the burden of fetching dirty water for their families.

To summarize, Sub-Saharan Africa's soaring water demand by 2050 underscores the urgent need for sustainable water management and efficient use. Without timely interventions, the region's economic growth, water security, and overall stability may be at risk.

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