Hydrological Systems in the D.R. Congo Lake Edward Basin

Local communities within the Lake Edward Basin are vulnerable to water access and supply. Water scarcity was more manifest in upper zones while the poor water quality was more noticeable in coastal zones. Poor water quality was attributed to mismanagement of the water sources used by the households such as wells, streams, ponds and lake, which are easily contaminated. The average household water use per day in the survey area was 30 litres of water per household. This is far below the SPHERE standards of 20 litres per person per day. Dry spells and heavy rains were the greatest threats to water quality and quantity and these were caused mainly by poor agriculture practices and extensive deforestations in the region exacerbated by climate change. It was noted that conflicts related to water access are usually a result of water scarcity and may consequently result into violence and most of the victims are women and children. The causes of most challenges in the lake Edward basin are population increase, poverty, poor land use and ecosystem degradation.