Water Pollution in Somalia

Pollution of water is a global phenomenon which plays crucial role in spread of serious diseases which can put the lives of human and animal at profound risk. These diseases including cholera, typhoid and other worm diseases which if not cured well can damage health situation of the person. In Somalia, in particular, is one of those developing countries which water pollution is one of the most pressing issues which both the government and society has never had a plan to combat it.

Back to 1970s, Somalia was one of the cleanest countries in the horn of Africa which resulted full protection of water, land and air in all Somalia regions and districts and this was due to the presence of Siyad Barre regime which its concerns on prevention of water pollution was its primary priority. In addition, water pollution is resulted by combination of several factors. Firstly, water contamination agents of chemicals, human wastes, unregulated dumbing and presence of rubbish nearby water sites led to lack of safe drinking water.

Secondly, disposal of untreated and unregulated sewages created to greatly contaminate running water both during the rainy times and other times when running water inside the villages is available. This is worsened by the fact that most Somali houses both traditional and modern houses have no sewage treatment and storage which can sometimes contribute to air pollution. Moreover, absence of landfill sites in the major cities of Hargeisa, Mogadishu, Garowe and Bossaso which lead to water pollution during heavy rainy seasons.

While this is threatening the lives of human and other species, there is need of solutions to be drawn in order to safeguard these lives. Basically, building the technical and strategic capacity to chalk out potential plans for waste management which are guided by action and feedback mechanism is crucial for the health and safety of Somali people. Furthermore, local municipalities need to showcase their efforts towards smart planning which can shape landfill sites, sewage storage, water-waste proximity and water treatment.