Increased Competition for Water

Demand of freshwater for household, agricultural and industrial use is increasing. Freshwater is vital for all life. It is a renewable, but finite, natural resource. Access to safe water is considered a basic human right by most people yet today 1.3 billion people are without an adequate supply and more than double that lack basic sanitation. | Access to water sources Impact of livestock on water quality for human consumption Availability and quality of water for livestock Options Policy Pressure and Policy Options View Technology Options

Exploiting freshwater resources for agriculture, energy generation, industry and transport has enabled many countries to advance economically yet increasing competition for water among such uses is degrading the very natural resources on which they depend. The natural water cycle, and the freshwater ecosystems such as lakes, rivers and wetlands that support it, provide the primary means by which freshwater is collected, stored and released in the environment.

Freshwater ecosystems also provide a wide variety of other goods and services, such as food, employment, pollution control and flood management. Yet these ecosystems are threatened by human overuse. The challenge faced by humanity is one of balance, equity and sustainability: how to meet present-day competing demands for freshwater, with the need to maintain healthy ecosystems that will safeguard freshwater resources and biodiversity for the future.

Driving Force | Pressures for Change | Result
Increasing water demand for domestic and industrial use | More intensive use of available water sources | More wells and bore-holes producing water for human and livestock use Setting aside of protected areas for water harvesting. Water pipe lines for urban demand.
Reclamation of land bordering water sources for other purposes. Rules and regulations denying livestock having access to water source | Livestock deprived of water sources | Livestock trespassing - resulting in conflicts Migration of livestock to areas where they can get access to water.
Decrease in access to open surface water sources Decrease of water availability | Water contaminated with faeces, urine and dirt. High risks for human and animal health | Increased use of wells and bore holes by people and livestock (and / or) Reduced human and livestock health
Livestock concentration around wells with a large capacity | Ground water pollution | Closing of wells for drinking water
Increased demand for water by irrigated agriculture | Lowering of ground water tables Decrease in open surface water sources that are easily accessible for livestock | More and deeper wells and bore holes Livestock concentration around remaining sources Use of irrigation canals as new water source for livestock Further decrease in availability of ground-water

Locally this may result in an increase in competition and problems associated with

- access to water sources by livestock
- impact of livestock on water quality for human consumption
- availability and quality of water for livestock

Access to water sources

Problems associated with access to open water often occur when land bordering these sources is taken in use for agriculture or other purposes in a way that livestock can not or is no longer allowed to reach these sources. Examples are large-scale irrigation schemes and protected areas. It mainly effects livestock from grazing systems (nomadic and transhumance).

However, livestock from these systems still require water and will be forced to make more use of other water sources (ponds, wells and bore holes) for instance those in use by livestock from mixed systems.

Impact of livestock on water quality for human consumption

In areas where mixed grazing systems prevail, people and livestock often share the same water source being it a lake, pond, well or bore hole. Humans often also use ponds and artificial lakes created for livestock even when they have been created for livestock in the first place. At the border of these sources the quality of water for human consumption decreases rapidly when livestock get free access to these sources. Water gets contaminated with faeces, urine and mud and health risks for humans increase dramatically.

In case of an open-well, contamination through ropes and buckets with faeces and mud can still appear when animals are watered in the direct surrounding of the well. Another risk factor is that animals fall in the well and drown. Water may look clean but can still be contaminated with harmful bacteria and parasites.

In case of covered wells and bore holes there is hardly any risk of contamination. People as well as livestock can have clean water. A big water hauling capacity can result in a large concentration of livestock in the area around the water source. In case of a well (ground water) this can result in Nitrate and Nitrite pollution from urine and faeces of the ground water. Bore holes in general reach water layers below the groundwater table and risks of contamination with Nitrates from livestock will be less.

Availability and quality of water for livestock

Water requirements for livestock and domestic use is very low compared with water requirements for irrigated agriculture. In areas with a limited water resource the availability of water can decrease dramatically with an increase of irrigated agriculture. Wells may dry up as ground water levels drop. Water volumes in ponds and lakes decrease more rapidly increasing the risks of higher degree of contamination of remaining water.

Water flow regulating infrastructures for irrigation (dams and canals) prevent flooding and the filling of natural ponds on flood plains resulting in an increase of livestock depending on artificial lakes, ponds and wells, increasing the risks of contamination.

On the other hand, new infrastructures for water distribution (irrigation canals and pipelines) can create new opportunities to water livestock. Livestock can use water in irrigation canals. To prevent physical damage to water works watering places could be constructed. Contamination of irrigation water with faeces and urine more likely to have a positive impact on plant production. Contamination of irrigation and drainage water with residues from agro chemicals can form a health risk for livestock and people consuming animal products from these animals.

Water pipe lines can pass through areas where water has been a limiting factor for keeping livestock. This can enhance especially livestock production at mixed farms.

Options Technical options

- separated watering points for livestock and people
- creation of water troughs, pump / haul water from ponds and lakes, prevent animals having free access to surface water sources
- creation of water points for livestock in irrigation schemes
- creation of water points at strategic places along water pipe lines
- create many small water sources with limited capacity instead of a few big ones with a large capacity

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