Factors leading to water contamination and shortages in Africa:
Population growth, food production, poverty, water demand, and resource management, etc. play large roles in increasing contamination and shortages in Africa. As more and more land is being cultiveated healthly ground vegetation is being lost, contributing to falling water tables and scarcity. The people of Africa do not consume a lot of water themselves, but most of the water is being used to grow crops to feed other countries and themselves last. Futhermore, water that originates up stream may be used up before it even reaches other areas down stream. And places that lie downstream have to suffer the consequences of water that is being controlled even before the people have a chance to get it.
Africanwater.org also states that, “Water law which gives certain users exclusive rights to use of water is necessary to provide security for investment (usually in the agricultural sector), but it can result in other users being put in serious jeopardy during times of scarcity” This system is wholly inadequate to save water, and to use it wisely for future generations.
