Poorly managed water infrastructure 'affecting power'
27 August 2009
Water infrastructure in Africa is not being managed correctly and it could result in power shortfalls, it has been claimed.
Scientists have met at the Sustainable Water Conference in Kenya, calling for better models to be implemented so the resource can be used more efficiently, reported VOA News.
The speakers at the event noted a scarcity of water not only leads to hunger, thirst and death - but also a power shortage as Kenya relies heavily on hydroelectricity, the publication explained.
The country's secretary for the ministry of higher learning, science and technology Crispus Kiamba was quoted as saying the location has experienced its worst rain failures since 2007.
He said: "Some of our rivers have dried up due to a combination of climate change effect and human destruction."
David Osborne, a United Nations Environment Programme representative, added many of Africa's water problems could be avoidable.
This could mean if better infrastructures were put in place, the region would benefit.