NILE RIVER BASIN

By: Mandy Jenkins, Erica Mulford, and Justin Taylor

REGIONAL SETTING OF THE BASIN

The Nile is the world’s longest river

Flows from Burundi in the South to Egypt in the North

Three main tributaries Blue Nile White Nile River Atbara

AVERAGE ANNUAL RAINFALL

Rainfall levelsEgypt: 200mmSudan: 250mmEthiopia: 850mm

CausesBiome typeClimate change

Heightened rates of evaporation

THE PROBLEM The central problem in Sudan is

water scarcity leading to increased death rates and other negative heal implications due to

waterborne illnesses

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE PROBLEM

Climate Population

Growth of 2.3% a year"About 40% of Africa's population lives in

the Nile Basin, and is projected to at least double by 2025"

Weak governmental infrastructureCivil war due to power struggles and

management of scarce resources Water management is not a priority

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE PROBLEM (CONT’D)

Outdated treaties Increased difficulty of creating water infrastructure projects

due to non-retention policies Increased poverty

Poverty 139th among 177 countries in the Human Development

Index (HDI) 40% of population beneath poverty line

Unsustainable agricultural practices Types of crops grown Creation of dams and canals

Water pollution Salinity, acidity, and excess nutrients Leading to lower crop yields

RESULTING OUTCOME Poor health in Sudan

Stagnant water results in waterborne illnesses

Diseases: cholera, amebiasis, cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, and salmonellosis

Symptoms: diarrhea, vomiting, headaches, nausea, fever, and flu-like effects

Can often result in death

HISTORY OF THE SUDAN

Nile River has always been very important No method of irrigation until around time of great

pyramids Basin Irrigation

Construction of the Aswan Dam and the 1929 Nile Waters Agreement Egypt: 48 billion cubic meters of water per year Sudan: 4 billion cubic meters of water per year

1959 "Full Utilization of the Nile Waters" agreement Sudan's yearly water allotment rises to 18.5 billion cubic

meters per year Resentment among Nile Basin countries due to

treaties

STAKEHOLDERSStakeholder Influence over

the problemSudanese Government

Second largest amount of power and influence over problem

Egyptian Government

Largest amount of power and influence over problem

Industry Lot of power, but less than governments

Citizens Minimal influence or power due to lack of organization

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Goals

Improve the overall health of the population Reduce pollution levels Combat water scarcity in Sudan

Objectives Decrease salinity levels Improve water infrastructure and increase

sustainable water management practices Create government-funded education

programs Improve sanitation Renegotiate existing treaties

SHORT TERM SOLUTIONS Educational Programs

Solution: increase number of volunteers in Peace Corps in Sudan, and create a volunteer program in Egypt

Time frame: 1-5 years Crop Rotation

Solution: Implement legislation requiring large-scale farmers to use crop rotation, and to push small-scale and subsistence farmers to implement crop rotation as well

Time Frame: 1-5 years Small Scale Water Purification Technologies

Solution: Implement technologies decrease water pollution and improve drinking water quality.

Time Frame: 1-5 years 

LONG TERM SOLUTIONS Renegotiate Treaties

Solution: Revise current treaties regarding water allocation for Sudan and Egypt

Time Frame:5-15 years Reduce Pollution Levels

Solution: In situ bioremediation, legislation to combat waste dumping, and legislation to prevent the creation of new dams

Time Frame:10-15 years Improve Water Infrastructure

Solution: Create small scale wastewater treatment facilities, and implement rainwater capturing devices

Time Frame: 10-15 years

SOLUTIONS INTEGRATION Tier 1: implement within 5 years

Solutions that can be immediately implemented and allow for the success of the following components of the solution Educational programs and renegotiated treaties

Tier 2: implement within 10 years Solutions that require legislative changes and cultural

acceptance: Change in agricultural practices, and technology adoption and

implementation Tier 3: implement within 15 years

Solutions that require legislative changes and major developmental adjustments : Improved water infrastructure

Tier 4: achieve within 15 years The outcome of implementing tiers 1 - 3

Reduced pollution levels and improved health

UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF SOLUTIONS

Fall further into debt.

War breaking out between the Nile countries.

Increase water pollution do to industrial growth.

Amplify civil unrest.

Create a more uneven distribution of wealth in the Sudan.

QUESTIONS???