Access to water is vital to the location and growth of cities. Great civilisations such as the Roman Empire, Egyptian civilization, the Venetian Empire and the Omayyad Dynasty, among others, were founded on river banks which provided their inhabitants with freshwater. It is also around such rivers like the Nile, Euphrates, Tigris and Indus that agricultural activities thrived and trade flourished. Modern cities like London, Paris, Moscow, Cairo, New Delhi and Stockholm are built on the banks of rivers and lakes. As cities grow and their populations increase, water scarcity is becoming an increasing constraint to urban development. New sources are more costly to develop and lack of control of city wastes results in increasingly polluted water sources resulting in environmental degradation and higher costs in water treatment. Investments in infrastructure have not kept up pace with the rate of urbanization. Water and waste services have not been given the priority they deserve, and they show significant underinvestment, in comparison with its economic returns. Africa for example invests only 4% of its GDP in infrastructure as opposed to 14% in China. Water services are undervalued and water is underpriced (African water utilities forgo $1.8 billion in revenues against the costs of water production). Utilities in developing countries are characterised by high unaccounted for water, bloated staffing, weak governance and financially unviable operations. Whilst there are some important exceptions, in general they have a significant way to go in improving efficiency and effectiveness. The poor in cities receive the worst services: piped water coverage is declining in many settings and yet the poor pay the highest water prices. Few urban authorities in developing countries have found a sustainable solution to urban sanitation. They cannot afford to extend sewers to the slums; nor can they treat the volume of sewage already collected. Solid waste disposal is a growing threat to health and the environment. Urban sector institutional arrangements are fragmented, lack effective regulation and roles are not structured for efficiency or success. There is growing evidence that the water infrastructure will also be significantly affected by climate change, particularly through the impact of floods, droughts, or extreme events. Water resources are expected to change, both in quantity and quality; and water, storm water and wastewater facilities will face greater risk of damage caused by storms, floods and droughts. The effect of climate change will mean more difficult operations, disrupted services and increased cost for water and wastewater services. The global celebrations of World Water Day 2011 (WWD 2011) provide a good opportunity to alert the world to the adverse global situation in urban water management, and to encourage seizing opportunities to address these formidable challenges. Through disseminating knowledge of successful approaches, it also seeks to give hope that solutions can be found. A principle objective of WWD 2011 is to celebrate success and better educate decision-makers, sector stakeholders and the world population about solutions.
|