Ethiopia’s economic prosperity has been heavily driven by rainfall and water availability. Recent periods of GDP growth and poverty reduction also coincided with periods of more reliable rainfall and greater public investment in agriculture. Here the role of water resources, whether they are directed to plots of lands using system of irrigation and another means so as to produce a range of crops, have been contributing a lot to the economic development.
Cognizant of the fact that water resources peculiarly rivers have been immensely contributing to the economic growth of the country, The Ethiopian Herald interviewed Taddesse Teshome, a hydrologist working for a private consultancy, to have professional information about water resources’ role in boosting economic advancement.
He said, “The escalating pace, intensity and scale of Ethiopia’s economic growth and urbanization have burdened the country’s natural resources, including water. Such inequalities in geographical distribution of water resources have been subjected to slow growth and abject poverty unless apt measures are taken to heighten the development of the economy.”
As to him, moving forward, the remarkable economic development that has made the country a model for wheat export, for instance, has risen indeed! The country’s economic growth has relied on water and the resource has been consumed with little-to-no regard for potential demand.
He said, “Over the years, wastewater and sewage from industrial, domestic and agricultural discharges have gradually increased, causing many rivers and lakes to have water quality that is unsuitable for any use. Despite efforts by the Ethiopian government to improve water quality standards in recent years, pollution on some of the major rivers and lakes has continued, and the quality of these water resources is still at stake.”
According to Taddesse, geographically, Ethiopia does have many river basins. The varied landscape design and general topography of the nation also brings about the country’s climate and uneven water dynamics. Precipitation and climatic differences are thus seen to spread across the country’s warm tropical and cold temperate parts of the nation.
Although Ethiopia as a whole has significant amount of water resources, the issue of uneven distribution, both temporally and spatially, mystifies national averages that indicate relative water abundance. Water availability varies significantly across the country due to differences in climate and topography, he opined.
Climate change is partly responsible for the changing and uneven distribution of water resources across the nation. With changes in precipitation and increasing extreme weather events, major rivers in Ethiopia have gradually receded over the last few decades, he added.
Industrial and domestic water consumption has increased progressively, with the highest levels of use in both sectors being recorded high. This has largely been contingent on the explosion in the number of urban dwellers, increased affluence and disposable income, as well as water-intensive urban lifestyles, he underscored.
“Ethiopia has been the African continent’s powerhouse of development, but the many decades of rapid development and economic growth have not taken place without a toll on the country’s natural resources, especially water. The concern now is that the reliance on water for growth far outweighs the resilience of the resource, and this pattern of over-exploitation, if continued, could lead to a severe water crisis that threatens the entire development of the country and the continent, too,” he said.
It could be argued that, Ethiopia’s unrestrained development and rapid population growth have contributed to undermining the integrity of its water systems and the pollution of its major rivers. The need for the country to augment its water supplies now threatens the ecological sustainability of the network of river systems linked to Egypt and Sudan, given that, the country has an enormous need for water and energy, as to Taddesse.
With agriculture accounting for over half of Ethiopia’s water usage, the sector becomes the most vulnerable to threats of water scarcity. Given that climate change will bring variations in weather patterns, precipitation and drought events, there will be significant changes across river basins and productive agricultural areas.
He further stated that the adoption of efficient ways to use water resources in the country has resulted in a gradual reduction in Ethiopia’s water consumption patterns, particularly in the agricultural sector. Hence, it needs a great care to handle water resources. Essentially, these gradual reductions have been achieved through wastewater recycling, championing water-saving technologies and increasing the efficiency of water use.
The country’s determination to see water efficiency reforms could reduce water wastages, increase the quantity of water and eventually ease the tension between demand and supply. Yes, water rights allow the equitable distribution and good management of limited water resources.
“In order to promote the sustainable development of water resources in Ethiopia, the government has developed a new system to encourage the management and conservation of the country’s major water supplies. The government has thus extended this coordination to include major lakes and other water bodies through coordination system to establish the river and lake projects,” he underlined.
Water resource conservation has also been shown to have tremendous impacts on the production and consumption of Ethiopia’s water resources. Besides, the country’s rapid socio-economic growth has put tremendous pressure on the country in ensuring a reliable supply of water for household, industrial and agricultural use, as to him.
In order to ensure a more sustainable and efficient consumption of scarce water resources he said the country has better taken many lucrative measures. Typically, strategic measures such as water conservancy, water drawing permits, among others, are of paramount importance in bolstering water resource utilization.
“Despite all these significant efforts aimed at improving the sustainable development of water resources, the complex set of issues pertaining to water adequacy and quality still persist. On this basis, the government, policymakers and all related stakeholders in the water sector must carefully establish reforms and policies that incorporate the social, economic, environmental, technical and scientific dimensions of sustainable development and water resource use in the country,” he opined.
This could ensure sustainability in socio-economic development while ensuring sound and efficient management and use of the country’s water resources. Water, often described as the human race and planet’s lifeblood, once perceived as limitless, this invaluable resource is now understood to be finite and increasingly scarce, he added.
As to Taddessse, the challenges are further compounded by climate change, which introduces greater unpredictability in water availability, evidenced by an increase in both droughts and floods.
Water resources, central to sustainable socioeconomic development, support a wide range of economic activities and are vital for human survival. The availability and management of these resources often dictate a nation’s prosperity and societal wellbeing, he added.
Agriculture, which constitutes about 85% of the Ethiopian population, epitomizes the economic dependence on water. It also forms the economic mainstay of Ethiopia, where a significant proportion of the population relies on farming. Here the use of resources like water has not yet been well utilized, he said.
He said, “Conversely, effective water management can enhance agricultural output, improve food security, and stimulate economic growth. Beyond agriculture, water is integral to various industrial processes, emphasizing the economic consequences of water resource management.”
As to him, it is well recognized that water resources significantly contribute to societal wellbeing by supporting a range of essential services. One of the most vital is sanitation, where water is used to maintain cleanliness and prevent disease spread. Access to clean water and sanitation facilities is a fundamental human right and a crucial indicator of societal progress, no doubt.
“Water resources also enhance recreational activities and mental health, offering spaces for relaxation, exercise, and connection with nature. They play a pivotal role in maintaining environmental sustainability, supporting biodiversity and regulating climate,” he stated.
Unequivocally, human activities on water resources; water management strategies; and technological applications for water resource management have a great role to play. The government of Ethiopia, scientists, water-related researchers and the farming community delve into the application of various technological solutions for managing water resources. Plus to that, strategizing water management, and utilizing technology in water resource management have to be focused on with a view to helping the nation benefit much out of the resource.
BY MENGESHA AMARE
The Ethiopian herald May 15/2024
