Ideas for addressing... Water Security

We could reduce knowledge & capacity gaps by offering more trainings in local communities to various stakeholders  - in the knowledge development and in the sustainability of each specific theme & dimension - by the promotion of capacity building of decision makers, farmers, users of water-energy-food nexus, farmers, fishermen, technical professionals and the population as a whole.

The government is not employing enough WASH experts  and waste waster treatment specialists.

Preserve available resources with more governance and a better coordination of infrastructure investments.

Human and institutional capacity needs to be strengthened as foundation to address all other existing knowledge gaps. Capacity building should be done in close consultation with affected parties and preferentially on location or in neighbouring African countries  and not necessarily at educational institutions overseas. Local needs should be carefully evaluated in consultation with local individuals. Try to avoid "top-down" approaches, but rather foster partnerships an alliances to increase acceptance of capacity building. Gender issues need to be addressed.

The African curriculum are theoretical base with no practical [aspects], take for example an agricultural officer who study from the city right from primary up to university has never seen the process through which a plant go through up to the time of harvest, this is an officer who can not differentiate between a plant and weed.  

Water security- Knowledge about the water footprint in countries, regions and communities and the users of water. We need to invest in research to generate data with regards to amount of freshwater in each region or country and real figures on annual consumption. These figures should be available although policy-makers wouldn't use it.   

Outcomes of climate change risk and vulnerability assessments need to be mainstreamed into key implementing institutions. These assessments should be the departure point for capacity building excises owned by local institutions.

Although large storage schemes are required an additional philosophy is required to think small and local and get public participation in smaller projects whereby they take responsibility to maintain their "own" resources based on the likelihood of a shift in areas with high localised rainfall.

Accompany stengthening of institutions, accountability of public servants. A stronger governance at a political level is the first step for effective international cooperation. Perception of corruption also disencourages entrepredurism and trust in communities.

Improving information flow within existing water governance structures such as Uganda Parliamentary Forum on WASH, water user committees, farmer groups and other decison-making platforms, so as to foster better and informed public participation in decision-making. 

There are still huge gaps in water technology development, research and innovations in Africa. There is need to invest in young people as potential innovators and entrepreneurs capable of creating solutions to water and climate change challenges.

Increase awareness, skills and access to the available technologies through multi-level and multi-stakeholders "sharing platform".

Multi-level and integrated approach to issues related to sustainable management of water/natural resources

Technologies for  themes is readily available however the current old school thinking legislative framework makes it difficult to purchase such outbound and inbound tech. This leads to reluctance to implement new technologies and you find people reverting to default mode. Investigations on to the opportunities and misalignment of innovation, regulation and legislation.

The country of Africa and Mailly West Africa have a great lack of knowledge of their water resources in terms of quantity and quality. To ensure water Security is achieve there is a need to have a critical mass of competent people capable of filling this gap.

Lack of capacity and knowledge in climate smart technologies.

A water technology platform that will unlock knowledge and insight about the entire water value chain to water and sanitation (W&S) stakeholders. It will obtain raw data from different sources, build synergy, enrich the data through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Business Intelligence (BI) and make the enriched available to stakeholders for beneficial use. (from here follows elaborate explanation put on website comment box) This research will improve W&S transparency, reporting, decision making, equitable allocation of water, cooperation between stakeholders, water/energy/food nexus integration, water quantity and quality management, international co-operation, trans-boundary water management, skills development, climate change resilience, financial management and performance, water resource protection, assurance of supply, water demand management, water conservation, non-revenue water and infrastructure asset management.
It is generically designed mainly for water, but is adaptable for food and energy using the generic structure. It will interface with other sectors like health, food, energy, education, security etc to determine cross-correlations. 
","Technology","Technology","Technology","","","Technology","","Water Mathematics holistically aims to improve Water and Sanitation  management by applying state-of-the-art Big Data concepts, Internet of Things (IOT), AI, BI and data mining technologies to assist all stakeholders involved in Water and Sanitation. The idea is to develop a generic model linking the full value water chain together to improve the silo type operation currently experienced at National, Regional and local level. Also to install near real time sensors along the value chain to bring new data for processing and converting to information, knowledge and insights.","

1 Integrated water resources management and ethics
2 Upscaling potential of water harvesting across Africa
3 Arid African alluvial aquifers for agriculture
4 Sustainable intensification for resilience and food security
5 Efficient and innovative small scale irrigation
6 Minimized fragmentation
7 Demand-driven research and social innovation
8 Improved tools for water and climate change
9 Enhanced knowledge sharing and technology transfer

Investment in research of positive impacts of Climate Change.

Governance structures methodologies hardly impact as expected as little is known on what to is needed, when and where, thus misplaced priorities.

The above themes have not been highlighted as important courses in the higher institutions. I believe they should be included as courses in the curriculum of higher institutions. Research institutes can also provide this courses as certified short courses. With adequate publicity on their availability and importance.

Water security: We have developed an innovative and effective fountain including water ultrafiltration system to provide immediate drinking water to people located in remote villages of developing countries. 

Do more research that identifies the institutions responsible for water security and food security. Then train the individuals in the relevant institutions based on the dimensions found to be lacking.

Use of citizen science to raise understanding and to create change.

In Africa particularly and developing countries in general, there is a need to put together the users and providers of water so that durable solutions can be proposed. There is a problem on institutions and their capacities when it comes to managing natural resources and related issues such as climate change, ecosystem degradation, soil erosion and so forth. 

Distributed technologies for water cleaning and recycling. Training of researchers, technicians. Involvement of decision makers. Common project development to increase human and institutional capacity. 

Water security has to be tackled in term of use of water information systems at different levels by thinking global and acting local. For example in the national information system a platform has to be created to manage in real time dams stocks. These dams have to be in reality connected each other to allow a water trasfer from one to another in case of plentifulness. 

Include water management training including demonstrations as part of the curricula at all education levels from primary level.

Utilising smart solutions in management of water resources such as data loggers, intelligent pressure valves, which would increase knowledge on performance of existing water systems, paving way for effective management in the wake of climate change related impacts

The human and institutional capacity dimension has the potential to positively impact the other dimensions...i.e., technology, governance structures, interaction process users and solution providers, and business opportunities among others.

Pilot a high density network of low cost weather stations for better forecast.

There should be combination of themes and disciplines to reduce the knowledge gaps.

Enhance self purification trough dedicated porous media, possibly used to cultivate food plants or trees.

Thresholds for early warning for climate-related disasters.

Firstly, I think our major challenge is that the climate change concept and its effects are still not understood or even paid attention to by many people in Africa. So, I think there should a major focus on teaching people about it, so that they can understand the effects and they are also thought how to reduce the effects. There should be so much awareness about climate change and its effects on water resources and other resources and life in general.It can even be channeled and filtered through the education system. It has to be priority no 1 for the government and the society at large, it , people must be thought about it, and more advocates must be created from the society. It is a matter of embarking of a very well thought out and powerful awareness campaign that focuses on changing perspectives, through capacity development. As an engineer, my over the years of engaging with people is that.. people are more receptive to a call for change, when they understand that the change somehow enables them to live better.

Water being one of the most threatened natural resources of our planet amidst climate change calls us to act quickly to secure it for the present and future. In securing water both for the present and future, I am of the opinion that is important to understand in great details the coupled human and natural systems (hydrosystems) interaction in the localized sense. 

Human and institutional capacity on water security is critical, there is a moderate knowledge gap which needs training, advocacy and financing.

Each specific theme & dimension is interrelated to other. Therefore, we could use an inclusive down to top community based approach with the participation of Indigenous Peoples, teachers, women, traditional - cultural - social - religious leaders and all the marginalized in local communities.

Data, information and analyses is key in providing options for operational partners in changing contexts, along with capacity building surrounding collecting this information and providing analyses.

Together with capacity building, both institutional and human, supporting governance structures need to set up to ensure sustainability of approaches to reduce knowledge gaps in all sectors. Address issues of balanced PPP's as alliances and not biased to uncontrolled influence of multi-nationals.

Apply a patented fertilizer to increase crop yields and save water.

Strong law should be put in place and price should be attached to water to enable the people of Africa realized that water is not a free resource, by doing this it will reduce on the wasted of water within the people of Africa.

Climate change needs to be embedded and mainstreamed in higher level governance structures such as the presidency (i.e. in Kenya) or more cross-cutting areas (i.e. not just the ministry of the environment). The scientific evidence-base should be determined from a spatial risk and vulnerability assessment that is integrated across sectors and industries. 

There is need to strengthen policy implementation and reform of obsolete policies that no longer meet up with international best practices. There is need for more investment in evidence-based research in order to strengthen water policies and implementation

Increase participation to specific networks among stakeholders (not only process users and solution providers but also researchers, institutions and SMEs)  

A smart guideline for interaction of all themes is required. It is difficult to relate and participate in solution based ideas with one service provider because of the PPP and the fact that everything should be transparent and fair even if you are dealing with IP related solutions. This also makes users reluctant to participate in such engagements dampening the spirit of solution engagements. Create a framework or guideline for user supplier interaction without breaking the rules of engagement covering all scenarios.

The integration of local communities in all aspects affecting them is the key to narrow the gaps related to the above themes.Subsidies on tech products for local communities to harness alternative  energy (solar and thermal) and a deep understanding of their adaptive capacity could shine a light on improvement.

Technology is the bedrock for development. Promotion of these themes at engineering and technical schools are important. Government funding in terms of laboratory equipment is also necessary. Technology hubs can also be created with a focus of creating local/adaptable technologies in this areas. Publicity of breakthroughs and achievements from universities and other research bodies is necessary in creating awareness and developing the interest of the next generation.

There is a need to support developing countries in science and technology related to water protection and assist them finically in water treatment

Create business platforms that enable technology transfer and investment between Asia and Africa.

The issue of governance structures has little room of capacitating policy makers.

Two ways of water management. One is for water high disponibility countries the other for water low disponibiliy countries. My country Mexico has the first type of management but the second disponibility condition. We have a model which I call it lineal where we normally give only one use to water before discharging it to a natural source. This type of model in a country like Mexico where the majority of our rivers are small streams is the best way to put on stress our water disponibility and quality as well. Efficient use (by law consumption) or good practices (by low volume use), are seen only as a voluntary water management but not as a main policy. Our policy instead has a split view of satisfying population’s demand instead of a disponibility increase by using different qualities for different uses in a circle economy water retention policy. As Albert Einstein said: “Is crazy to think we can ask for different results by doing always the same once and again”. We need to change the policy model by a charging fiscal policy to the non efficient practice and not the way around. This doesn’t mean we will charge to the poor or to the small enterprises. This means we will not comite the actual mistake by charging a tax to a company which has an efficient recycling, reuse or infiltration recharge by giving new water amounts for the whole country benefits. An efficient water use policy must focus in charging water wastage and to promote efficient use instead.

What is needed most is to increase populations’ awareness on all types of water mismanagements; be it potable water, water for irrigation or for industry or just water in water authorities’ facilities. How to address each case should be at increasing levels from community to local up to regional international level. In each level key of stakeholders should be closely involved for finding adequate solution that will enrich a web-based knowledge platform.

Looking at the problem of water supply security in the face of climate change in sub-Sahara Africa, from my own stand point of view, I feel groundwater will be of increasingly importance in meeting the future water supply challenges. Therefore I feel there is the need for serious capacity development and baseline data generation in respect of characterization of the groundwater systems in many sub-Saharan African countries.
There is the need to clearly define many of the aquifer systems and characterized them in terms of quantity and quality of groundwater supply as a precursor to sustainable management of this limitedly renewable resource that will continue to play a significant roles in meeting the challenges of water supply especially for many vulnerable rural communities especially in the coastal communities.
In essence, research studies in respect of characterization of aquifers for the purpose of sustainable management groundwater resources in the face of climate changes challenges is needed.

The use of surface water sources should be encouraged and ground water resources tapped only as a last resort. This will allow our mostly now depleted aquifers to revive. We should consider the ground waters as strategic reserves to turn to in the events of droughts. Peoplè should be educated on that and every nation should have a policy to regulate the use of underground water resources. In as much we desire to regulate. The perfomance of the water industry in every country should be measured by the amount of water saved from unnecessary waste and not the revenue generated. Consumers should be encouraged to use less water.

As a result of climate change, the changing rain pattern has continued to expose a number of African countries serious challenges; in some places flood and others drought. The areas experiencing flood due to excessive rainfall or flow from neighborhood are required to invest in constructing dams and other water harvest solutions so as to use the excess water for hydroelectricity and agriculture. While the dry areas experiencing shortage of water and drought need to invest in water harvest techniques, renewable energy and efficient water usage solutions. The renewable energy would also help in greening the environment so as to attract more rain. To bridge the funding and technical gaps a number green financing and climate compliant development facilities are available to help these countries.

Solution is providing up to 1000L of drinking water an hour (or 150,000L a month) and feed with clean water a village of 1000 people a day. The water treatment system is based on a filtration and ultrafiltration process: 5 steps of non-chemical filtration process, eliminating viruses and bacteria contaminations, root cause of diarrhea, dysentery, cholera and hepatitis, without destroying the minerals contained in the water.","Interaction process users & solution providers. Energy security: 159 million people collected untreated waters of surface from lakes, ponds, rivers and wells, in 2015. Our long-term solution to get access to potable water is safe, practical and immediate. Easy to use and adaptable to its environment, the potabilization fountain makes surface water (from wells, rivers, pools or streams) immediately drinkable without any power sources. It works with a manual pump whether the undrinkable water is filled manually or by pipe. The Safe Water Cube Fountain is entirely mobile and mechanical. It does not produce any CO2 , does not use any chemical nor chlorine - There is no other maintenance needed other than cleaning the filters with natural products (lemon or white vinegar). Only 1 filter to be changed once or 3 times a year. The Safe Water Cube is certified by the WHO under the reference CT16014035 - Vigilance tools and processes were created to guarantee the durability of our system.","https://news.un.org/fr/story/2018/03/1009271","In addition to give an immediate access to the drinking water in a long-lasting and secure way, we also raise awareness among the population to the risks related to the consumption of unsafe water, we educate the children with educational tools and we establish a social and cultural link between the worldwide schools. Significant reduction in GHGs: The carbon assessment for the production of a fountain equals to the daily production of a person (20.5 kg - CO2). There is no production of CO2 up to 1000 liters of drinking water filtered per hour. If the fountain worked during 10 years continuously, 87,6 million liters of drinking water would be produced with equivalent 20.5 kg carbon.

Strengthens public institutions to be independent from individual influences (ie. rogue politicians). Implementation is very poor on these areas and there is a poor monitoring and evaluation procedures on the fields of actions. Actual applications of policies on the field ought to be a empirical reality not theoretical on documents by experts. 

Bringing about enabling environments for fieldwork by experts would further facilitates reaching-out-to the-people who are the real target. Empower field experts to bring about changes and application of their various research findings for the benefit of 

Good governance policies on Water Resources Management for the benefits of mankind and the Ecosystems ought to be regulated and implemented for the good of all.

Working to improve assainissement (english: sanitation) et devellop the ntic (english: new information communication technologies) in the sector and protect the ressources