FIGHTING WATER POLLUTION
Contaminated
water is a major threat among communities throughout Africa. Every hour, an
estimated 115 people die in Africa from diseases linked to improper hygiene,
poor sanitation, and contaminated water, according to the United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).
What
causes Water pollution in Africa?
How
can we end water pollution?
Mining
being an economic activity, in most African countries, demonstrates a ransom of
challenges; Salt and mineral content from mining is often found in large
amounts in the continent’s water which has a direct effect on the water’s pH
levels. Companies involved in mining have often been criticized but to a deaf
ear. Deforestation is another cause, it affects wildlife, climate change, and
the climate as a whole. It also causes soil erosion, forcing more soil into
water bodies, rivers and lakes, and this has a negative impact on humans,
plants and animals who rely on these water sources, that end up consuming water that is unfit for drinking.
The
use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture, causes draining of these
chemicals into the water bodies especially when it rains, leading to
eutrophication, further contributing to water contamination on our water
bodies.
Many
families have to walk for miles to access clean drinking water. Younger girls
often have to drop out of school and miss out on getting an education to help
their families, as seen in most Northern part of Kenya. Water scarcity, which
has been brought about my climate change, deforestation, a cause of water pollution,
is becoming now a disaster for the future generation.
The
fact that NGOs have been joining hands to help clean up some rivers, is a sign that
maintain clean environment is each and everyone’s responsibility. Remember water
pollution can cause, poisoning and mortality, diseases such as cholera are
spread through water contamination. Now
we are not just preventing pollution of rivers, it has already happened, it is
time to treat this disease. The main responsibility of the government in this
fight is providing resources used for clean up ,not forgetting that the setting
up water treatment areas is a high score for this fight. Article 42 of the new
constitution, which states: Every person has the right to a clean and healthy environment.
Wining
this fight is everyone’s goal, a fight that Legendary Prof Wangari Mathai flagged
off, A fight that Dr Paula Kahumbu took over, A fight that young people took
over, like Fionah Njeri, Miss Environment Africa Nazarene University and the
young 11year old Ellyanne who has
managed to plant more 1million trees.
It
is our fight, It will be our win, I t will be our celebration.
by ALEXANDER’S MINDKE.
+254 745 305656 /
+254 794 642755
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