Angola's Water Crisis: Access Denied To Clean Water

Angola is facing a water crisis, with nearly half its population lacking access to clean drinking water. This is despite the country being one of the most water-endowed countries in Africa, with an abundance of rainfall and rivers. The lack of access to clean water is due to a combination of factors, including poor infrastructure, limited investment in water management, and the impact of consecutive droughts. The government has implemented initiatives such as Water for All to improve access, but these have been met with mixed success due to issues such as maintenance and pressure problems. The lack of clean water has severe health implications, with diarrheal diseases being the main cause of mortality among children.

Inadequate government investment in water infrastructure

Angola's inadequate government investment in water infrastructure is a significant factor contributing to the country's lack of access to clean water. Despite being one of Africa's most water-rich countries, with an abundance of rivers and rainfall, Angola faces a critical challenge in providing clean water to its citizens. This issue is largely attributed to insufficient investment in water infrastructure by the government.

For decades, Angola suffered from a prolonged civil conflict that ended in 2002. During this period, the country's available funds were primarily directed towards fighting the war, with little to no investment made in water infrastructure. This lack of investment has left a lasting impact on the country's water supply system. The few water facilities that were established by the Portuguese colonial administration in the 1950s and 1960s are now outdated and mostly non-functional.

In recent years, the government has made some efforts to address this issue. In 2003, they created a water sector development strategy and initiated some early attempts at rehabilitating supply lines. However, these efforts were hindered by a lack of knowledge and effective management, resulting in limited progress.

In 2007, the government launched the "Water for All" programme, a more comprehensive initiative to build and rehabilitate water supply systems and community access taps across the country. While this programme has faced challenges, it has started to make a positive impact. For example, boreholes are being drilled, new taps are being installed, and localised water treatment facilities are being established in rural areas.

However, the "Water for All" programme has also faced criticism. There have been reports of maintenance issues, pressure problems, and long periods without water supply in some communities. Additionally, the government's definition of success is questioned, as they consider a community to have water access simply based on the presence of a water source, regardless of whether it is functional.

To further complicate matters, Angola has experienced consecutive droughts in its southern provinces over the past decade. This has had far-reaching consequences for water security in these regions. The unpredictable weather patterns have forced the country to re-evaluate its water management practices and seek more sustainable solutions.

To achieve long-term improvements, Angola needs to make substantial investments in new water production and infrastructure. This includes tapping into distant rivers, constructing more water storage systems and dams, and exploring alternative sources such as groundwater reservoirs. While these initiatives require significant financial resources and time, they are crucial for ensuring a stable and accessible water supply for Angola's population.

In conclusion, inadequate government investment in water infrastructure has been a critical factor contributing to Angola's lack of access to clean water. While recent efforts by the government, such as the "Water for All" programme, have shown some progress, more needs to be done to address the issue effectively. Sustained investment in new water production and infrastructure is vital to ensuring that all Angolans have access to this basic human right.

Poor water management practices

Angola is a water-rich country, with an abundance of rivers and rainfall. However, decades of conflict, poor infrastructure, and mismanagement have resulted in limited access to clean water for many Angolans. Poor water management practices have been a significant contributor to this issue.

One example of poor water management is the lack of investment in water infrastructure. For many years, the country's water infrastructure was neglected, with little to no investment in improving or maintaining water supply and distribution systems. This has resulted in outdated and inefficient water supply systems, as well as a lack of access to clean water for many communities. Even today, most urban centres in Angola are served by water supply systems built during colonial times, which only serve a small fraction of the population.

In addition, the country has struggled with ineffective water management institutions. Following the 2002 Peace Accords, Angola was left with heavily damaged infrastructure and a lack of proper water-related institutions. While the government has since invested in water infrastructure and initiatives like "Water for All", implementation has been challenging. Issues with maintenance, pressure, and supply persist, and it is common for taps to stop working for days or even weeks at a time.

Furthermore, poor planning and coordination have exacerbated the problem. Large amounts of post-war construction work were carried out with little coordination, resulting in pipes being laid and then cut due to a lack of communication between rival companies. This has led to protracted disagreements over responsibility and repairs, further hindering access to clean water.

The consequences of these poor water management practices are severe. The lack of clean water and sanitation contribute to high rates of waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid, especially during the rainy season. Diarrhoea is a leading cause of death among children, and the country has one of the highest under-five mortality rates in the world.

To address these issues, Angola has been working to strengthen its water management practices and institutions. The government has created a water sector development strategy and established the National Water Resources Institute to undertake water resources management and improve access to clean water. International organisations like USAID and the World Bank are also providing support and funding to improve water management and increase access to clean water for Angolans.

Consecutive droughts

Angola has faced consecutive droughts over the past decade, with far-reaching consequences for communities' water and food security. The southern provinces of Angola, including the city of Lubango, have been hit hard by record droughts in recent years. This has led to a depletion of underground water resources, as high population growth and a drop in rainfall force difficult trade-offs.

Lubango, Angola's third-largest city, has had to adapt to an intermittent water supply. The city's main water source, the Tundavala spring, slowed significantly in 2022, impacting the operations of the N'Gola beer factory, which employs about 700 people and depends on high-quality water. The factory was forced to operate at reduced capacity and bring in extra water to maintain its market share.

The water crisis has also affected schools in Lubango, such as Elementary School Number 98, where water access dropped to once a week during the height of the crisis. The school garden died, and even now, water only reaches the pipes a few days a week. The lack of consistent water access has made it difficult for the school to meet its basic needs, including keeping the toilets open for students and staff.

The situation in Lubango highlights the urgent need for improved water management practices and investments in new water production and storage systems. The CEO of the Huila Provincial Water and Sanitation Utility, Domingas Tyikusse, has stated that the only way to increase supply and meet growing demand is to invest massively in new water production and storage infrastructure. However, plans for new water connections are currently on hold while solutions are sought.

The challenges posed by consecutive droughts in Angola underscore the critical importance of strengthening water management practices and promoting sustainable development. By addressing water insecurity, Angola can work towards ensuring access to clean water for its citizens and supporting economic growth.

Lack of access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene

Angola is a water-rich country with an abundance of rivers and rainfall. However, despite being the world's second-largest oil producer, 47% of its population does not have access to clean drinking water. This figure rises to 58% in rural areas. This lack of access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services (WASH) has severe consequences for public health and economic development.

Diarrhoeal diseases are the third biggest cause of death for children in Angola, claiming the lives of over 20,000 children each year. The country also has one of the world's highest child mortality rates, with 72 out of 1000 children dying before they reach the age of five. This is closely linked to inadequate WASH services, with 14% of child deaths caused by unsafe water sources or waterborne diseases. The lack of clean water also contributes to the prevalence of malnutrition, with half of Angolan children under five suffering from anaemia and more than a third estimated to be stunted.

The Government of Angola has recognised the importance of institutional development in the WASH sector and has implemented initiatives such as "Water for All" to improve access to water and sanitation. However, these efforts have been hindered by challenges such as poor infrastructure, lack of sustainable maintenance and management, and top-down governance. As a result, many communities in Angola continue to lack reliable access to clean water, with taps often not working for days or weeks due to supply problems and faulty machinery.

To address these issues, organisations like USAID and World Vision International (WVI) have partnered with the Angolan government and local communities to improve access to WASH services. USAID's Community-Managed Water and Sanitation project has helped establish community structures for water management, provided hand-washing facilities in schools, and improved latrines and hygiene practices in rural and peri-urban areas. WVI's approach focuses on providing technical assistance for the construction of improved latrines, raising awareness about hygiene practices, and supporting communities in establishing their own management mechanisms. These efforts have resulted in increased access to safe water and improved sanitation facilities for thousands of Angolans, contributing to better health and economic outcomes.

High population growth

Angola's high population growth has put a strain on its water resources, particularly in urban areas. The country's population is growing, with more people moving into cities each year, and this has resulted in a situation where the demand for water exceeds the available supply.

Lubango, Angola's third-largest city, is a prime example of the impact of high population growth on water access. The city has experienced a significant influx of people, with over a million residents, and this has put immense pressure on its water infrastructure. As a result, only about 23% of Lubango's population has a water connection at home, and residents have had to adapt to intermittent water supply.

The high population growth has also led to the development of unplanned neighbourhoods, which further complicates the provision of water services. These areas often lack the necessary infrastructure for reliable water access, and the local government struggles to keep up with the demand. As a consequence, many residents in these areas rely on alternative sources of water, such as private lorries that sell water at a higher cost.

The situation is similar in Luanda, the capital city of Angola. Luanda has a population of 7 million, and 37% of its residents rely on connected water services. The rest of the population depends on private tanker trucks, public standpipes, or illegal water connections. The high population density and rapid growth have made it challenging to provide adequate water infrastructure for all residents.

The government of Angola has recognised the issue and has implemented initiatives such as the "Water for All" program to improve access to clean water. However, high population growth continues to be a significant challenge, and it will require sustained investment and improved water management practices to ensure that all Angolans have access to this basic human right.

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