Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 9
Visualization of Water Services in Africa:
Data Applications for Nexus Governance
Theresa Mannschatz, Manfred F. Buchroithner
and Stephan H
lsmann
ΓΌ
1 Introduction
Africa receives the third largest amount of global annual precipitation, which builds
up the African water resources (Curmi et al.
2013
). Still, at the continental level,
Africa
s total
freshwater resources, making it the second driest continent (UNEP
2010
). More-
over, in Africa the water resources are spatially unequally distributed. In combi-
nation with varying population density, this results in wide differences in water
availability and poses challenges for water supplies. Both extremes (arid and humid
regions) face numerous water-related problems. (Semi)-arid regions have to deal
with droughts, poor water quality, soil salinity, low agricultural production and
limited water supply. In contrast, humid regions are confronted with floods, bio-
logical risks (e.g. malaria, cholera), soil erosion and landslides.
'
s renewable water resources only represent around 9 % of the world
'
'
Water services
'
is
de
ned by FAO Water as
'
the activity of providing users with water deliveries as
well as it can de
(FAO
2014
).
Water services comprise regulating services (sanitation, flood protection, erosion
ne the company itself who provide the service
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