Importance of Water

Water management for economic development

Water management: Refers to the skillful and careful use and control of water and water resources. It is the management of water resources under set policies and regulations.

Economic uses and importance of water

1. Water is used for domestic purposes
2. Water is used for agriculture development
3. Water is used as a source of hydro-electric power
4. Water is used for industrial development
5. Water encourages the development of the fishing industry
6. It encourages the development of the tourist industry Water is used for navigation i.e. it stimulates the development of transport and communication
7. Water influences weather activities i.e. rain formation
8. Water provides habitat for various living organisms

Relationship between family size, water supply, and quality of life

1. There is a strong relationship between quality of life and access to water.
2. An adequate and reliable water supply greatly improves the quality of life because:
   • People do not spend most of their time, income, and energy searching for water.
   • Family members can easily cook, clean, and carry out other household chores.

Impact of family size on water demand

1. Larger families require more water and need it to be available more frequently.
2. Smaller families consume less water, reducing the pressure on supply needs.

Relationship between vegetation and water supply

1. Vegetation plays a crucial role in maintaining a continuous water supply.
2. Areas with dense forests and other vegetation serve as water catchment areas:
   • They retain water by preventing runoff and reducing evaporation.
   • This helps to sustain water sources over time.

How distance to water sources affects the girl child

1. In rural areas, fetching water is often the responsibility of women and girls.
2. In many parts of Tanzania, girls are expected to fetch water because:
   • Women are typically occupied with other domestic duties (e.g. childcare and cooking).
3. As a result:
   • Girls spend a significant amount of time collecting water.
   • This can interfere with their education, health, and personal development.

The distance between the home and the water source affects the girl child in the following ways

1. When the distance is long, it means that the girls have to walk the long distance to fetch the water. For those who are lucky to go to school, they tend to be too tired to pay much attention in class hence, poor performance.
2. Children who are consistently exposed to hazardous, unportable water or exposed to pumps or water source that have been contaminated by water-borne bacteria, contracting diseases such as cholera and they are often affected by life threatening diarrhea from parasites in unclean water.

Problems caused by water

1. Water causes floods
2. Water provides habitat of dangerous animals
3. Polluted water is a source of water born diseases
4. Flowing water causes soil erosion
5. Large water bodies may cause barrier for communication.