Water and Economic Development
Introduction
Water is a natural resource that is fundamental for all living organisms, especially the welfare and the continued development of human environment both economically and technologically. Since humans cannot do without water, policies and strategies for managing and conserving water sources have to be put in place (Coale, 2015). This will in effect contribute to sustainable development and good ecological balance. When water gets managed efficiently, unexpected climate, social economic and environmental changes gets covered in a sustainable manner. Several businesses use the concept of water conservation and management to avoid uncertainties related to environment and social issues.
Several economic activities require water and a fundamental resource in order to survive and thrive in their respective line of production. As a matter of fact, many businesses have been established along water sources. Not to mention several great cities that were built near water bodies in the recent past. This means that major businesses that hold the economy of the country are established in these cities. However, there have been water shortages in these urban areas. Following these reasons, relevant authorities come up with viable proposals of how to curb water shortage to avoid its adverse effects in the economy (Tiffen, 2016). The idea of locating businesses along water sources is itself a brilliant move to achieve sustainable economic development. Investors and government agents therefore advocate for clear strategies that would ensure that a diversified water conservation plan is put in place.
Lack of clean water affects the well-being of humans, agriculture, industry, energy production and sanitation and hygiene. Agriculture requires water as the main input. Places that have no access to enough and clean water tend to suffer from malnutrition and famine a great deal. These regions are normally located away from major water bodies. Though rain fed agriculture thrives well in some parts of the world, farm produce reduces during dry seasons and springs. The manufacturing, processing and power generating industries require water in sufficient supply in order to maintain a standard level of production and performance in their line of operation.
These industries however tend to focus on production without looking into the issue of pollution and resource efficiency. As much as these industries make quality products, their social responsibilities remain unattended to. The long term effect of this would result to reduced market and reduced quality of their end products: water will have been polluted. At the end of the day, the business itself would close down if the pollution continues without being looked into (Coale, 2015).
Efficient management of water brings about several benefits that help achieve humanitarian goals as well as a balanced ecosystem. Individuals, industries and wildlife are able to gain access to clean water. The government on the other hand achieves a great level of a sustainable economic development. The profitability and creation limit of people and monetary areas, for example, farming and industry, rely on upon individuals’ wellbeing and secure water accessibility. Putting resources into the strength of individuals, eco-frameworks and more efficient water utilize are speculations that do not just give quick monetary benefits in any case, likewise defends future monetary increases. For example, all around oversaw biological communities give ” biological system merchandise ” for example, fish and products also, ” administrations ” for example, surge control and water cleansing. In Uganda alone, the utilization of inland water assets is worth nearly USD 300 million a year regarding forest catchment security, disintegration control and water purification administrations (Berry, 2005).
It is important that the financial benefits of made strides water supply and sanitation and water assets administration is seen, plainly enunciated and incorporated into vital large scale financial choice making. Interests in the water part sanitation in specific must be recognized for the financial benefits they create. Seen along these lines, the financial benefits exceed costs significantly. Therefore, solving all these water issues curbs the problem of underdevelopment. For this to work standard and strategic policies have to be put in place. At large, projects that focus on water conservation should be established in order to promote economic development goals for rising industries and those that already have a larger market proportion.
| Water sector | Proportion of allocation |
| Agriculture | 62% |
| Domestic
Urban Rural |
27%
23% 4% |
| Industrial | 3.5% |
| Afforestation | 3.0% |
| Mining | 2.5% |
| Power generation | 2.0% |
According to the above diagram, the demand for water against its availability is projected to have a similar face by 2025 (Grey, 2006). With regard from the number and conditions of sources in Cape Town, South Africa it is evident that the potential areas for water resource development have a place in the southern parts of KwaZulu-Natal. This is different from other parts of the town where the viability of future water resource development is minimal. This follows a unique nature of South Africa’s order of water sources which comprise surface water as major source, return flows and ground water as the least used water source.
Water plays an essential role in our daily life, such as education, healthcare, social activities and economic production. Reliable water sources have always been the heart of great cities and farming evolutions where they have emerged near rivers, lakes, and seas. The convenient location that near the water can efficiently reduce the production and transportation costs. Without water, the community long-term growth and competitiveness are hamper while their ability to create jobs for economic development are a strain. Hence, economic growth and development are intertwined with the meaningful and impactful management of water resource, which is a shared responsibility between farms and factories, individuals and communities, business and industries (Grey & Sadoff, 2006).
However, with the water pollution, economic development has also been a serious obstacle. Many times, the need for industrialization and economic growth is in conflict with the water conservancy projects. The demand for water is far beyond the scope of the environment. Local community and environment stimulate resistance to the project by stakeholders whose rights and interests are not addressed (Brown & Lall, 2006). According to some investigation, many wealthy countries often accompanied with abundantly available water resources, such as Kuwait has high per capita but low water availability while Chad and Niger have weak wealth indexes but high water availability (Berry, 2005).
In conclusion, water has proven to a necessity both in domestics and industrial environments. The fact that it holds the continued existence of life, policies that would lead to sustainable water and economic development need to be drafted and implemented by the relevant authorities. Economic growth and businesses require enough supply of clean water in order to realize their goals.
References
Berry, J (2005). Water Interaction with energy, environment, food and agriculture. Economic Development and Water, Vol II , 1-2.
Brown, C., & Lall, U. (2006). Water and economic development: The role of variability and a framework for resilience. Natural Resources Forum 30 , 306–307.
Grey, D., & Sadoff, C. W. (2006). Water for growth and development. Thematic Documents of the IV World Water Forum , 5.
Coale, A. J., & Hoover, E. M. (2015). Population growth and economic development. Princeton University Press.
Tiffen, M. (2016). The Enterprising Peasant: Economic Development in Gombe Emirate, North Eastern State, Nigeria, 1900-1968. London, UK: HMSO.