Challenges of Providing Water in Africa

A man fills a container with water in Lake Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo on June 16, 2014. Lake Kivu is near the northeastern city of Goma, where most of the one million residents of the city are still waiting to have clean, uncontaminated running tap water in their homes. Goma lies on the edge of one of the largest soft water reservoirs in the world, lake Kivu, where it is rains abundantly, but most people have to go to the lake to fetch water, chlorinate it for drinking or buy some from sellers, who make about 10 US dollars a day, transporting an average of 120 liters (30 gallons) on bicycles from the lake to the city. Junior D.Kannah/AFP/Getty Images

One of the most notable changes in modern times is the rapid urbanization of our planet, which began in the 19th century. While in 1950, 29 percent of the global population lived in cities, that figure is estimated now at 50 percent and by 2030 it will reach 61 percent.

In Africa, urbanization experienced a rapid shift from 15 percent in 1950 to 41 percent today. It is estimated that, by 2030, 54 percent of the population on that continent will be living in cities. Not only are more people living in cities but the cities themselves are becoming larger and more densely populated. This situation poses unique problems related to the provision of water, sanitation, and a healthy environment.