Newsletter and Technical Publications
<Sourcebook
of Alternative Technologies for Freshwater Augumentation in Africa>
2. DOMESTIC WATER SUPPLY
Technologies for the augmentation of domestic water supply systems are
varied, starting with simple ones at the household level and ranging to
more complex ones at the municipal level. Despite the existence of these
technologies, access to domestic water supplies remains a problem for a
majority of communities in Africa. The major reasons for this situation
are the scarcity of water sources which can be attributed to a number of
factors including population and industrial growth, increased agricultural
activity, the destruction of catchment areas, the deterioration of the
socio-economic and political environment, and changes in global climatic
conditions, among others. All these factors have created a situation of
water limitation. As a remedy to this situation, there is need to maximize
the efficiency of use of existing freshwater resources, and to augment
existing supplies, by using appropriate, cost effective and
environmentally-friendly technologies. These technologies are classified
in the broad categories of water harvesting, water quality upgrading,
water conservation and water recycling and reuse.
Water conveyance technologies have not been covered in detail as these
are not considered as technologies for freshwater augmentation, but,
rather, they are a necessary component in the transfer of water from areas
of water abundance to areas of water shortage. Hand pumps, and, indeed,
other pumping systems, are regarded as water conveyance systems and,
therefore, are not discussed in detail. However, some unique,
traditionally African methods of water conveyance are mentioned in this
section.
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