Sanitation and Wastewater Atlas of Africa

especially threatened by pollution, the impacts of climate change, population growth and increasing consumption (Brookes and Carey 2011). Rapid urbanization, poor water and wastewater infrastructure, inadequate solid waste management and poorly managed faecal sludge management in urban areas lead to land and water contamination, with associated risks to the environment and

human health. Africa has the largest percentage of households without access to improved sources of drinking water when compared to other continents, with the highest percentage located in rural areas (Bain et al. 2014). Adequate wastewater treatment, proper sanitation provision and solid waste management are essential for preventing degradation of the environment and

the potential consequences on human health. The consequences of releasing untreated or inadequately treated wastewater include harmful effects on human health, negative environmental impacts, and negative impacts on economic activities (UN-Water 2017). Figure 3.2 provides an idea of the number of water treatment or reuse plants in major countries around the world, with Africa generally lagging behind the rest of the world.

Wastewater reuse Km 3 /year

Middle East and North Africa

USA 1.425

Europe

Japan

1.218

1.0

0.3

WORLD TOTAL

0.2

0.3

7.1

Australia

South Africa

>2 000

Reuse plants

831

200

218

72

Europe

USA

Japan

Middle East and North Africa

435

20

Australia

South Africa

WORLD TOTAL

Source: Enviropaul (2015).

GRID-Arendal/Studio Atlantis

Figure 3.2 . Wastewaster reuse in the world

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SANITATION AND WASTEWATER ATLAS OF AFRICA