Christopher Grey
Water Scarcity Throughout South Africa
It is no large announcement that the world is suffering a substantial water crisis. In addition you understand that this is not a result of the world lacking water. Our planet's water issue is one of jurisdiction, not of insufficiency. Although, water is slowly becoming limited in some regions across the world, in a global sense, there is an ample amount of water to give a peace of mind towards all living things. However, this can only take place if we alter the approach in which we operate and advance these things. The water dilemma has become extremely severe in South Africa in particular the Vaal River. The different lakes have a necessity for water as well as the different contamination's that influence the wildlife that live in our around the bodies of water.
Inside the lakes at times they discover E. Coli, this informs the government and authorities, that the water equipment used had been polluted possibly with trash or waste from humans or animals. The Vaal River spreads over 1000 km in the central part of South Africa. It is the primary tributary for all the residents in the Johannesburg region. River officials have found substantial amounts of putrid elements in the river, thus making the water extremely dangerous for the people of South Africa to consume. According to a humanitarian news article, they said that the local court organized a group of contractors to clear away 20 tons of dead fish, after a Non-governmental organization, called Save the Vaal River Environment, took the authorities to court for seeping a large quantity of sewage straight inside the river. (IRIN News) This in the end effects the entire ecosystem living in the river and also fills the river that people drink out of with dead animals.
Along with the different wildlife being affected through human and animal waste, the multitudes of people who use this river are affected indefinitely. According to the Non-governmental organization SAVE, “The Vaal River has become a dumping ground for toxic effluent from industry, mining and municipal waste water works.” (SAVE) By dumping toxic elements and other wastes from the factory industry, these people are not only hurting the wildlife but also the millions of people who live in and around the Johannesburg area. In the water that these people use to drink, as a result of the dumping, there may possibly be bacteria, E. coli, nitrates as well as other fatal elements.
Throughout the years, the Vaal River has consistently been polluted through waste and different elements being dumped in by the factory industry in South Africa. However much of the blame should go to the Agriculture industry. According to Encyclopedia of the Earth, there has been a significant amount of Agricultural runoff, throughout all 1000 km of the Vaal River. This runoff includes elements such as herbicides, pesticides, phosphate and nitrate.These elements depict the color change of the water over the months as well as the way the water smells. (Hogan) As a result of the different elements polluting the water, this water also contaminates many of the peoples belongings. Given that for many people this River is their main source of water they use it to drink, cook, clean making them sicker and also contaminating their homes.
As South Africa begins to find more economic solutions for their water problems, they need to understand that the longer it takes the more time the polluted water will affect the lives of animals and humans.
Works Cited
Camdessus, Michel. "How to Beat Africa's Water Crisis." Global Public Square RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.
Hogan, Michael. Vaal River. Peter Saundry, 20 Apr. 2013. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
"The Issues Affecting Global Poverty: Water & Sanitation." ONE. N.p., 27 June 2013. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
“The Problems and Solutions to Safe Water in Africa." Triple Pundit RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.
"Problems We Face." Problems We Face. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.
"SOUTH AFRICA: The Quiet Water Crisis." IRINnews. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2015.
This connects to the US because we are very lucky to have water for mostly everyone. More specifically in cali because we are in a drought and we still use more water than what we really need. One question I have is do you think they thing external help from other countries? or what would be the best solution?
ReplyDeleteI really like how you give us a new perspective on the water crisis in Africa. Many think that there is just not enough water that can sustain these African nations. However, you point out that Africa is not necessarily dealing with water scarcity, it is actually dealing with its mismanagement of the water resources. The contamination of water is something people all over the world are facing, even here in the United States. We have seen here in the Bay Area how a lack of rain and the waste of water has led to one of the biggest droughts we have had in recent history. What I am trying to figure out now is whether or not the communities can solve this issue by themselves because clearly the government has not done much to help.
ReplyDeleteYour topic was unique and the way you discussed it was very sophisticated and informative. In the US there is a drought and we are not plagued with the most disgusting water but there are still water troubles here. It is nice that you started your paper talking about the whole world and how we use water. What are the specific negative health effects that the gross water has on the people consuming it?
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