A blog by Dr Engdasew Feleke from the Water and Land Resource Centre (WLRC), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
“God bless the factory owner, he provided water for us. In the past, there was a natural water source; people went to the river and drank the river water. But now, the river water is polluted due to wastewater released into it by the rich factory owners.”
Water is an essential and irreplaceable resource. On July 28, 2010, the United Nations General Assembly recognized access to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a fundamental human right. Additionally, Sustainable Development Goal 6 outlines the global objectives of ensuring “safe and affordable water for everyone” and preventing the deterioration of freshwater ecosystems. However, our research in the REACH-WISER initiative in Ethiopia showed multiple forms of inequalities in the households’ access to safe water in Dukem town and Akaki district. The wealth status of households and spatial variations are the primary factors influencing water security in these parts of the country. The community’s most vulnerable groups such as internally displaced individuals, the elderly, new settlers, people with disabilities, those with chronic illnesses, and the economically disadvantaged, along with rural residents are the most affected by the lack of access to safe water.
The significant industrial development and expansion in the area have had both positive and negative impacts on water security for urban, peri-urban, and rural households. On the positive side, the factories have set up communal water points outside their premises that are accessible to the community at no cost. These water points serve as vital sources for individuals who lack access to safe water, particularly benefiting the urban poor, peri-urban residents without land certificates (ineligible to be connected with the water system), tenants, rural inhabitants, and other vulnerable community groups including internally displaced people. I want to present some case studies to illustrate the situation.
Collecting water from the factory water points in the peri-urban Dukem (image credit– Engdasew Feleke).
Additionally, some young men earn money by acting as middlemen, transporting water from factory water points using horse-drawn carts. Women involved in the Tela (local alcoholic beverage) business have greatly benefited from access to factory water, which has been instrumental for many of them. The community has expressed appreciation for the role factories play in providing water free of charge.
On the flip side, the expansion of industries has given rise to various environmental and socioeconomic issues. One of the most significant impacts is the pollution of the Akaki River (part of the Upper Awash basin). Although water contamination in the river is not a recent problem, its severity has intensified. Residents in rural areas are becoming increasingly frustrated with the river’s condition, particularly during the dry season when pollution levels peak and alternatives such as rainwater collection and ponds are unavailable. The increasing amount of waste has caused the river to turn dark and produce a strong, unpleasant odor. This situation has left local communities feeling helpless, resulting in a decline in their efforts to protect the river. A local woman who depends on the river for irrigation lamented, “in the past, people were careful to look after the river, but now that sense of responsibility has vanished.”
Despite numerous complaints about its poor quality, factories in the area release wastewater that is used for irrigation farming. Poorer, rural communities that use water from the Akaki river are exposed to concentrated levels of pollutants, especially in the dry season when there is less dilution of wastes. Communities are aware of pollution risks and women in particular worry about relying on contaminated water.
Irrigation farming using factory wastewater in Peri-urban Dukem (Photo credit – Engdasew Feleke)
The Akaki river, Upper Awash Basin, Ethiopia
A woman from a rural village told us, “I feel stressed when I am interviewed about Akaki river pollution because I am using it daily with all its pollution.” Much of the food produced with Akaki river irrigation ends up on the shelves of shops in Addis Ababa (the capital city). The irony is not lost on the farmers-a man working on irrigation told us “we are selling our vegetables to urban residents together with their waste.” This illustrates that polluters are also impacted by the pollution in the water and industrial development system although the degree and exposure varies among the social groups.
In conclusion, we must acknowledge the crucial role that factories play in providing water access to vulnerable communities. However, it is imperative that we prioritize the urgent need to address the pollution and environmental damage resulting from untreated wastewater discharge from these industries. Protecting our water resources is essential for sustainable development and the overall well-being of communities. Instead of simply categorizing industries as polluters, we should channel our efforts into finding effective solutions to pollution and highlighting the significant contributions factories can make to water security and broader societal progress. This focus is not just important; it is a necessary intervention that can drive meaningful change.
