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The importance of groundwater for Safely Managed Drinking Water Services for Rural Populations – presentations at the 2019 World Water Week in Stockholm

Description:

SDG Target 6.1 strives to ensure universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030. Although the number of people with access to improved drinking water supplies increased over the last three decades, the gap between rural and urban areas is staggering. In sub-Saharan Africa 12% of rural compared to 50% urban populations respectively use a safely managed service. This stark difference has reasons. Expenditure on large-scale piped water supplies in urban areas has been much higher than on the small-scale, decentralised systems and point sources that serve rural populations. The investment bias for infrastructure is mirrored in inadequate investments in the human and institutional capacity to plan, develop, manage and regulate rural water service provision.

The last mile in meeting SDG target 6.1 is in rural areas, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Groundwater plays a crucial role, with aquifers almost ubiquitous, and able to provide a buffer during drought periods. There are numerous initiatives to provide rural populations with access to groundwater. Nevertheless, if supplies are to meet SDG target 6.1 criteria for safely managed services, groundwater management policies and practices need to be improved significantly. This requires much more investment alongside major political commitment.

Key Note & Presentations:
• Progress on SDG6.1 in Rural Areas in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Burundi – The challenge of water availability
• Professional Groundwater Development means more than building infrastructure
• PUMPING AND DELIVERING GROUNDWATER TO LAST MILE POPULATIONS

Bibliographical Information:

Armstrong, A; Danert, K; Johnston, R & Slaymaker, T; Ir NIJIMBERE Robert (2019) The importance of groundwater for Safely Managed Drinking Water Services for Rural Populations – presentations at the 2019 World Water Week in Stockholm.

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