Water Pollution: Countries With The Dirtiest Water Supplies

Water quality is a critical issue for countries worldwide, and while access to clean drinking water is improving, billions of people still lack it. Water stress, the ratio of water demand to renewable supply, is a significant concern, with 25 countries facing extremely high water stress and using up almost their entire water supply. This is driven by low supply and high demand from domestic, agricultural, and industrial use. UNICEF estimates that in 2022, more than a quarter of the world's population did not use safely managed drinking water services, with 1.8 billion people using sources contaminated with faecal matter. Countries with the worst drinking water supplies include Kiribati, Comoros, Pakistan, the Republic of the Congo, the Solomon Islands, and Haiti.

Countries with the worst drinking water supply

Water quality is a critical factor in ensuring the long-term health of citizens and the sustainability of water supplies. While water accessibility is improving worldwide, billions of people still lack access to clean drinking water. UNICEF's latest data reveals that in 2022, more than a quarter of the world's population did not use safely managed drinking water services, with 2.2 billion people without safe and easy access. This is evident in many countries, with some of the worst drinking water supplies outlined below.

Haiti

Haiti has one of the lowest Environmental Performance Index (EPI) scores, indicating that its drinking water supply is not clean and safe.

Kenya

Kenya is an African country with unsafe drinking water, as reflected by its EPI score of 13.70 in 2022.

Mauritania

Located in Northwest Africa, Mauritania has a low EPI score of 13.60 in 2022, indicating a poor drinking water supply.

Benin

Benin, a West African nation, has one of the worst drinking water supplies, with low scores for both drinking water and sanitation in 2022.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Only 11.6% of the population in the Democratic Republic of the Congo accessed safely managed drinking water in 2022, giving it one of the worst drinking water supplies.

Zambia

Zambia, situated in Central, Southern, and East Africa, had a low EPI score of 13.20 in 2022 and is among the countries with the worst drinking water supplies.

Mexico

In Mexico, an estimated three-quarters of people drink bottled water due to the poor state of their tap water.

Pakistan

Pakistan, a South Asian nation, recorded a low EPI score of 15.30 in 2022. In 2022, only 50.6% of its population was capable of using safe drinking water.

Niger

Niger, the largest country in West Africa, is among the worst for access to clean water. Over 40% of its population lives on less than $2.15 a day, contributing to limited access to safe drinking water.

Angola

In Angola, nearly a quarter of the population relies on unsafe surface water sources, such as rivers or ponds, for their water needs.

It is important to note that access to safe drinking water is a fundamental human right, and efforts are being made globally to improve water quality and accessibility.

Water-stressed countries

Water stress, the ratio of water demand to renewable supply, measures the competition over local water resources. The smaller the gap between supply and demand, the more vulnerable a place is to water shortages. A country facing "extreme water stress" means it is using at least 80% of its available supply, while "high water stress" means it is withdrawing 40% of its supply.

The five most water-stressed countries are Bahrain, Cyprus, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Oman. The water stress in these countries is driven by low supply, paired with demand from domestic, agricultural, and industrial use. The most water-stressed regions are the Middle East and North Africa, where 83% of the population is exposed to extremely high water stress, and South Asia, where 74% is exposed. By 2050, an additional 1 billion people are expected to live with extremely high water stress.

Water accessibility is improving worldwide, but billions of people still lack easy access to clean drinking water. In 2022, more than a quarter of the world’s population did not use safely managed drinking water services, according to UNICEF. While 5.8 billion people had access to safely managed drinking water, that left another 2.2 billion people without safe and easy access.

In East Africa, Eritrea has made significant gains in providing access to clean water and sanitation for communities. However, a lack of adequate household sanitation means open water sources are often contaminated by human and animal waste. Deforestation and poor farming practices also make the problem of water pollution worse. Conflict, drought, and a worsening hunger crisis have displaced nearly 3 million people in the country.

In Angola, nearly one-quarter of the population uses water from an unsafe surface river or pond. World Vision brought piped water systems, boreholes, and rehabilitated water points to 16 Angolan communities that increased their access to clean water from 0% to 59%. In Mozambique, rural populations and people in the north are the worst off for clean water and sanitation.

Water pollution in Africa

One of the primary causes of water pollution in Africa is human activity. Rivers, lakes, and groundwater are contaminated by various harmful substances, such as chemicals, heavy metals, pathogens, and other pollutants. These contaminants find their way into fragile river and dam ecosystems, causing water pollution and devastating plant and animal life. For example, in Kenya, the waters of Lake Victoria and Lake Nakuru are being choked by agricultural contaminants, raw sewage, plastic, and nutrient-dense fish waste.

Another significant contributor to water pollution in Africa is plastic waste. Thousands of tons of plastic waste are shipped to countries like South Africa and Kenya annually, mainly from the Global North. This plastic waste ends up in rivers, dams, and the ocean, causing widespread pollution. In Cameroon, for instance, plastic waste blocks drainage systems during the rainy seasons, leading to dangerous flooding.

The effects of water pollution in Africa are dire and wide-ranging. It devastates aquatic habitats, destroys sensitive ecosystems, and contributes to the loss of biodiversity. Many species unique to Africa are at risk of extinction due to polluted waters. Water pollution also exacerbates water scarcity, already affecting 1 in 3 people in the region.

Furthermore, contaminated water sources become breeding grounds for waterborne diseases like cholera, dysentery, and typhoid, posing significant health risks to vulnerable communities. In sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated 115 people die every hour from diseases linked to contaminated water, poor sanitation, and improper hygiene.

Water pollution in Asia

Water pollution is a pressing issue in Asia, driven by population growth, rapid urbanisation, and industrialisation. The impacts of water pollution are severe, with 42% of deaths associated with unsafe or inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene occurring in the region. Rivers in Asia are highly polluted with domestic waste, with up to three times the world average of human waste-derived bacteria. The inadequate provision of sanitation facilities, sewerage, and wastewater treatment results in significant water body contamination.

Agricultural practices also contribute significantly to water pollution in Asia. The excessive use of pesticides and fertilisers has led to high levels of nutrients in rivers, causing eutrophication and damaging freshwater ecosystems. Furthermore, the traditional agriculture-based economies of Asia are transitioning to industrial economies, generating substantial industrial waste and chemical pollution. The lack of effective governance and enforcement of environmental regulations exacerbates the problem.

In Southeast Asia, rapid industrial and urban development have led to water pollution from chemicals, industrial waste, and untreated sewage. The region's geography, with cities built on flood plains, obstructs the natural course of waterways, increasing the risk of flooding. Inconsistent water governance and the lack of integrated management strategies further hinder effective water management.

South Asia, in particular, faces significant water quality issues. Drinking water is often contaminated with human enteric pathogens, arsenic, and industrial pollutants. The region's economic development, with a shift towards industrial production, results in increased industrial waste, posing substantial risks to human health. The weak rule of law and financial incentives for companies contribute to the challenge of addressing industrial pollution.

Overall, water pollution in Asia is a complex issue influenced by various factors, including population growth, industrialisation, inadequate sanitation infrastructure, and agricultural practices. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from governments, improved regulation, and the implementation of sustainable water management approaches.

Water pollution in Latin America

Water pollution is a pressing issue in Latin America, with a range of factors contributing to the problem. From industrial discharge to inadequate sanitation infrastructure, the region struggles to provide access to clean water for its citizens.

One of the primary causes of water pollution in Latin America is the discharge of untreated or poorly treated industrial wastewater. Many industries in the region, such as mining and agribusiness, use toxic chemicals and pollutants that eventually find their way into water bodies. The Lempa River watershed, for example, is under threat from a potential gold mine in El Salvador, which could contaminate the drinking water source for over two-thirds of the country's population, as well as communities in Honduras and Guatemala.

In addition to industrial pollution, inadequate sanitation infrastructure also plays a significant role in water contamination. In many Latin American countries, sewage and wastewater treatment systems are lacking or inefficient, leading to the discharge of untreated or partially treated sewage into rivers, lakes, and dams. This problem is particularly prevalent in rapidly urbanizing areas, where population growth strains existing water systems.

Native ecosystems have a natural filtering capacity that can help reduce water pollution. Conserving and restoring these ecosystems is crucial for maintaining water quality and quantity. Local communities and smallholders play a vital role in this regard, and their decisions can have long-term impacts on water resources. Empowering these communities and providing them with the mechanisms to manage their water resources democratically is essential for sustainable water management.

To address water pollution effectively, it is imperative to stop the use of toxic chemicals in industries and agribusiness. Additionally, promoting the use of native ecosystems for natural filtration and giving civil society a voice through surveys, awareness campaigns, and improved grievance mechanisms can help reduce water pollution and improve access to clean water in Latin America.

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