Chris Infotainment

Morocco's Ambitious Plan for Desalinated Water by 2030 Morocco is making significant strides in its efforts to secure a stable and sustainable water supply. The country’s Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, has announced that the kingdom aims to supply 60% of its drinking water from desalinated seawater by 2030. This marks a substantial increase from the current 25% of water sourced through desalination. During a speech on Thursday at the World Water Congress in Marrakech, Baraka highlighted that Morocco plans to produce 1.7 billion cubic meters of desalinated water annually by 2030. This goal will be achieved through ongoing projects and new initiatives set to be tendered starting next year. He emphasized that “studies are underway as part of preparations for the plant’s tender, to be announced by mid next year,” and noted that all new desalination plants will be powered by renewable energy. This commitment to sustainability aligns with Morocco’s broader strategy to...

Ethiopia's Water Bodies Show Signs of Recovery Ethiopia has witnessed a remarkable transformation in its water bodies, with rivers and lakes experiencing a steady increase in water volume. This positive trend is attributed to the country’s Green Legacy and watershed development initiatives, which have been instrumental in restoring natural ecosystems and improving water management practices. The Ministry of Water and Energy has reported that these efforts have led to significant improvements in the water levels of various lakes and rivers across the nation. According to Debebe Deferso, Lead Executive of Integrated Water Resource Management at the ministry, the integration of the Green Legacy Initiative with watershed development programs has played a crucial role in the restoration of water bodies. Deferso explained that the planting of seedlings has helped prevent soil erosion, allowing for better water infiltration into the ground. This process has contributed to an increase i...

The Growing Importance of Desalination in Water Supply Water scarcity is a pressing global issue, and as populations grow and climate change intensifies, the need for alternative water sources becomes increasingly urgent. One of the most promising solutions is desalination — the process of converting seawater into potable water. While this technology has been around for centuries, modern advancements have made it more efficient and widespread than ever before. Desalination has evolved from ancient methods like boiling seawater to more sophisticated techniques such as reverse osmosis, which uses high-pressure membranes to filter out salt. Today, there are over 16,000 desalination plants operating worldwide, producing an estimated 56 billion liters of fresh water daily. This equates to about 7 liters per person on the planet, highlighting the scale of this industry. However, the environmental impact of desalination cannot be ignored. The process generates a significant amount of brine...

The Critical Situation of Lake Mead Lake Mead, one of the largest reservoirs in the United States, is facing a dire situation. Located on the Colorado River, it serves as a critical water source for millions of people across several states. Recent developments have highlighted that the lake is approaching what many are calling "crunch time." This comes amid an ongoing severe drought that has led to historically low water levels, raising concerns about potential crises in the region. In 2022, Lake Mead reached its lowest levels in decades, with water levels dropping by almost 60 feet over two years. At that point, the lake was at 1040 feet above sea level. While it can hold up to 9 trillion gallons of water, ongoing drought conditions and a hotter, drier climate have caused its elevation to drop more than 150 feet. If the lake falls below 895 feet in elevation, water flow through the Hoover Dam could be disrupted, affecting California, Arizona, and Mexico. A Seven-State Cha...

Water Supply Crisis at Kwanyarko Headworks The Kwanyarko Headworks, operated by the Ghana Water Limited (GWL) in the Central Region, is facing a serious threat of shutdown due to dangerously high turbidity levels in the Ayensu River. This issue has raised concerns about the sustainability of water supply for over 30 districts in the region. According to the Acting Managing Director of GWL, Mr Adam Mutawakilu, the plant's operations are being severely impacted by the rising turbidity. The water quality has exceeded the design capacity of the equipment, which was intended to handle up to 2,500 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU). However, recent readings have shown levels as high as 32,000 NTU, far beyond the acceptable limit. "Last week, turbidity reached 32,000 NTU, and today it's around 11,000. That means we're operating at nearly five times the acceptable level," he explained during a recent visit to the site. He emphasized that such high turbidity not only a...

Enhancing Water Technology Capacity Across Africa The Ethiopian Water Technology Institute (EWTI) has been actively working to build and strengthen the capacity of professionals in water technology, both nationally and regionally. This initiative is aimed at addressing critical water challenges across the continent through innovative and sustainable solutions. Tamene Hailu, the Director General of EWTI, highlighted that the institute has been delivering hands-on training programs to participants from over fifteen African countries. These programs are designed to equip individuals with practical knowledge and skills that can be directly applied in their communities. The focus on real-world application ensures that trainees are well-prepared to tackle local water issues effectively. One of the key areas where EWTI has made a significant impact is in improving access to water in Ethiopia. The institute has been implementing low-cost technologies that allow communities to extract and su...