Developing Nations: Water Pollution's Worst Victims

Water is essential for life, yet billions of people worldwide lack easy access to clean drinking water. While water accessibility is improving globally, this progress is unevenly distributed, and poverty is closely tied to poor water quality. This is a pressing issue in many countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where less than a third of the population has access to safely managed drinking water. This article will explore the countries facing the worst water pollution and scarcity issues, focusing on the interplay between poverty and water insecurity.

Characteristics and their values regarding poor countries with the worst water pollution

Mexico: 3/4 of the population drinks bottled water due to poor tap water quality

Mexico is facing a water crisis, with 57% of its population of 127 million lacking access to safe water, and 37% lacking access to safe toilets. The country currently has the highest per capita consumption of bottled water worldwide, with three-quarters of the population drinking bottled water due to poor tap water quality.

Mexico has experienced both achievements and setbacks in water supply and sanitation. In the last two decades, Mexico saw a significant nationwide increase in access to piped water supply and improved sanitation in both urban and rural areas. However, a lack of ongoing investment has slowed progress in getting access to safe water to low-income communities. The challenges include water scarcity and droughts in major parts of the country, inadequate drinking water quality and wastewater treatment, and inefficient utilities. More than half of Mexican households with access to piped water receive services on an intermittent basis.

The situation is particularly dire in Mexico City, where reservoirs that supply the Cutzamala water system, which provides about 20% of the water used by the greater Mexico City area's 22 million residents, are drying up. They have fallen to historic lows of around 38% capacity, due to abnormally low rainfall, climate change, and mismanagement. Local media has been warning of a possible "Day Zero" when water would stop flowing from the Cutzamala system altogether, as early as June 26. In some parts of the city, water is so scarce that armed guards accompany water tanks to prevent theft.

The water crisis in Mexico has led to inequalities in access to water, with some residents in the municipality of Ecatepec, on the northern edge of Mexico City, receiving no water at all through the tap. To cope with the lack of water, they pay for private companies to truck in non-drinkable water for basic household chores, incurring additional expenses.

To address the water crisis in Mexico, organizations like water.org are working with financial institutions, non-governmental organizations, local governments, and infrastructure partners. They aim to empower financial institutions by providing technical skills and training to offer financial products for water and sanitation solutions.

Niger: the largest country in West Africa, where over 40% live on less than $2.15 a day

Niger, the largest country in West Africa, is among the worst countries for access to clean water. Over 40% of Niger's population lives on less than $2.15 a day, making it one of the poorest countries in the world. Surrounded by the vast Sahara desert, Niger is one of the least developed countries globally, with extreme drought, poor soil conditions, and the gradual spread of the desert making life incredibly challenging.

The government of Niger faces significant barriers in providing public services like clean water and sanitation to its citizens. The economy struggles to fund the necessary infrastructure, and the harsh climate makes installing and maintaining these services particularly difficult. Despite these challenges, the government has committed to ambitious goals, aiming to reach those without access to clean water and the four in five people who lack decent sanitation facilities.

The lack of access to clean water and sanitation in Niger has severe health implications. Water-related diseases are prevalent, including cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, and other water-borne tropical illnesses. These diseases sap the energy of vulnerable children and sometimes even claim their lives. The lack of sanitation also forces people to defecate in the open, near rivers, and in areas where children play, further contaminating freshwater sources.

The situation in Niger is not unique, as many other countries face similar challenges with water pollution and lack of access to clean water. For example, in East Africa, Eritrea has made significant gains in providing access to clean water, but open water sources are still often contaminated by human and animal waste due to a lack of adequate household sanitation. Similarly, Somalia faces a high rate of water-related diseases, compounded by conflict, drought, and a worsening hunger crisis that has displaced nearly 3 million people.

Somalia: armed conflict, drought, and a hunger crisis have displaced nearly 3 million people

Somalia is facing a severe water crisis, with a combination of factors contributing to water scarcity and pollution. The ongoing civil war, which has now lasted for over three decades, has destroyed most of the country's water systems and resulted in a lack of governance and regulation. This has led to a poor governance system and limited long-term benefits for the country. The conflict has also caused the displacement of over a million people within Somalia and forced almost a million more to seek refuge in neighbouring countries.

The drought in Somalia, ongoing since 2020, has been caused by a lack of rainfall, as well as instability and conflict, climate change, and extreme weather conditions. This drought has only served to heighten the existing water crisis, with 2.7 million people requiring humanitarian aid in the form of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) support. The water shortage has forced people to make dangerous journeys, and the lack of resources and sanitation has increased the risk of contracting easily preventable diseases.

Somalia's greatest source of water is groundwater, accounting for 80% of its supply. However, groundwater is highly polluted due to several factors, including the use of pit latrines and shallow underground tanks, high rates of open defecation, shared water points for livestock and humans, and inappropriate wastewater disposal. The lack of proper drinking water systems has led to an increased reliance on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as the main drinking water providers, despite their high prices and low-quality water.

To address the water crisis, there have been efforts to promote awareness and education about water availability and efficient use. Smart agriculture practices, such as drip irrigation and under-irrigation, can help reduce water consumption. Additionally, preventing the leakage of pollutants into surface and groundwater through waste control and treatment technologies is crucial for controlling water pollution. However, without intervention and investment in water infrastructure and governance, the water stress in Somalia is likely to worsen.

Cambodia: 84% of the population has no access to clean water

Water pollution is a pressing issue in many countries, with a variety of factors contributing to the problem. While the specific claim about Cambodia is unverifiable, with sources citing different statistics, the country does face significant challenges regarding water access and quality.

Cambodia, a Southeast Asian country with a population of around 16 million, has unique geographical characteristics, such as the Mekong River flowing through it and a monsoon season lasting from May to November. Despite these water sources, Cambodia faces a water crisis, with a significant proportion of its population lacking access to clean water and sanitation facilities.

According to Water.org, approximately 11 million people in Cambodia lack access to safe water, and 10 million lack access to safe toilets. This disproportionately affects rural communities, as access to water infrastructure and facilities is limited outside major cities. The country's fast-growing economy and vulnerability to climate change further emphasize the importance of addressing this issue.

Compounding the problem, Cambodia has faced challenges with water pollution. Sources of pollution include industrial, agricultural, and household wastes, which can contaminate water bodies and negatively impact human and animal health, as well as the environment. Arsenic contamination, for example, has been detected in drinking water, with certain provinces like Kandal exhibiting extreme arsenic pollution.

To address these issues, Cambodia has implemented measures such as the Sub-Decree on Water Pollution in 1999, which tasks the Ministry of Environment with monitoring, inspecting, and regulating polluting activities. Additionally, Water.org has launched initiatives like WaterCredit, which provides affordable financing options for safe water solutions. The Cambodian government has also set ambitious goals, aiming for 100% access to improved water and sanitation in rural areas by 2025.

Ethiopia: a landlocked, arid country with a high mortality rate due to water shortage

Ethiopia, a landlocked country in East Africa, is facing a severe water crisis. With a population of over 62 million people impacted by water scarcity, Ethiopia accounts for 7.5% of the global water crisis. The lack of access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities has led to a high mortality rate, especially among children.

Ethiopia's water crisis is characterised by both water scarcity and water pollution. Due to its landlocked location and arid climate, Ethiopia experiences frequent and prolonged droughts, which can last for months or even years. These droughts not only reduce water availability but also contribute to water contamination as communities are forced to rely on unprotected water sources. According to the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP), a global water, sanitation, and hygiene database, 31% of Ethiopians, approximately 32 million people, rely on unprotected water sources for their daily needs.

The lack of access to safe drinking water has severe health consequences for Ethiopians, particularly in small villages and towns. Water-borne illnesses, such as cholera and diarrhoea, are prevalent and are the leading cause of death among children under five years old. The mortality rate is alarmingly high, with one in every 17 children dying before reaching their fifth birthday. The situation is further exacerbated by poor sanitation and hygiene practices, with over 97 million people in Ethiopia lacking proper sanitation facilities. Open defecation, practised by 22% of the population, leads to water contamination, creating an unsafe environment that contributes to the spread of diseases.

The water crisis in Ethiopia has far-reaching impacts beyond health. Children, especially girls, are often forced to forgo education to help their families collect water. This disrupts their education and limits their future opportunities. Additionally, fields are drying up, causing farmers to fight over irrigation resources. The water scarcity and resulting conflicts are hindering economic development and threatening the livelihoods of millions.

Ethiopia's water crisis demands urgent attention and action. While the country has made progress in improving access to safe water and sanitation, much remains to be done. Efforts from the national government, international organisations, and local communities are crucial to addressing this crisis and ensuring that Ethiopians have access to this basic human right.

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