The Problem
The problem that exists is that the public lacks access to
real-time information regarding the Water and Sanitation,
such as water quality, which is critical for evaluating the
state of WASH.
In addition, the Water and Sanitation sector in Zambia has a
National Budget of US$120 million per annum. However, the
financing gap required for Zambia to actualize the SGDs by
2030 is US$360 million per annum which highlights a severe
lack of funding to the water sector due to the constrained
resource envelope.
Further, people living in low-income communities have poor
access to basic clean water and sanitation services as they
often have to walk more than 30 minutes to access the nearest
water point.
As at end of 2020, only 54% of the population has access to
basic drinking water source for both urban and rural combined
and only 70% of the population had access to a functional water
point which is inadequate for a population of 20 million.
The inadequate access to water in these communities has viral
effects which are;
Gender
In African low-income communities, it is common custom for women and girls to attend to domestic house matters which involves preparing water for household usage, however, they often have to walk long distances to access the nearest water point.
Climate
Inadequate access to water and sanitation services is closely related to climate change because it affects the most vulnerable who are often women and children.
Healthcare
Inadequate access to clean water has put enormous stress on healthcare service as adequate access to clean water is a pre-requisite to preventing the spread of communicable diseases, such as cholera and diarrhea, and in ensuring that healthcare workers do not spread infectious diseases such as tetanus in the case of childbirth.