Latest news with #water scarcity
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Liquid Intelligent Technologies and DropByDrop partner to drive smart water management across Kenya
Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid) ( a business of Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader of African heritage, has announced a strategic partnership with DropByDrop Water Systems (DropByDrop), a global provider of smart water technologies. This collaboration, which combines Liquid's extensive network and tailored technology solutions with DropByDrop's cloud-based water management platform, will deliver smart water solutions to resolve non-revenue water challenges in the country. 'Water scarcity is a growing challenge across the continent, and managing this precious resource efficiently is more important than ever. Through our partnership with DropByDrop, we're bringing Liquid's advanced technology and data-driven solutions to Kenya's water sector. By helping providers digitise their infrastructure and build smart water ecosystems, we're empowering them to serve their communities better,' said Neeraj Pradhan, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Liquid Kenya. Addressing non-revenue water challenges is a key focus of this partnership, with reports ( indicating that approximately 47% of the water released for distribution in Kenya remains unaccounted for. By reducing these losses through improved leak detection, accurate metering, and real-time monitoring, water utilities can boost revenue collection and unlock greater funding opportunities for water infrastructure development. Furthermore, smart water solutions play a crucial role in advancing broader societal and environmental objectives. The data generated supports environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting, demonstrates progress towards the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, and enables informed planning for urban development and infrastructure expansion. Liquid's existing Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure integrates with DropByDrop's platform to provide reliable, efficient water delivery based on real-time data. SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) integration enables remote monitoring and control, while geo-asset management ensures that infrastructure is well-maintained. Additionally, remote valve control allows for quick shut-offs or adjustments. The platform's multilingual design and compatibility with various networks mean more people benefit from accurate billing, usage monitoring, and leak detection alerts. 'Water is at the heart of life, yet millions still struggle to access it reliably. At DropByDrop, our mission is to harness the power of data and technology to make every drop count. Leveraging Liquid's extensive infrastructure enables us to scale our advanced water management platform in Kenya. Together, we're creating a future where water is managed sustainably, equitably, and intelligently,' said Sergey Khorolsky, International Projects Partner of DropByDrop. Liquid's collaboration with DropByDrop underscores the critical role technology plays in addressing everyday challenges. Bringing innovative digital solutions to water management not only enhances service stability but also ensures that users have reliable, data-powered access to this essential resource, while reducing non-revenue water wastage. It also reflects Liquid's commitment to delivering end-to-end technology solutions that support Africa's digital transformation journey. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Liquid Intelligent Technologies. About Liquid Intelligent Technologies: Liquid Intelligent Technologies is a business of Cassava Technologies (Cassava), a technology company of African heritage with operations in 40-plus markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, where the Cassava group companies operate. Liquid has firmly established itself as the leading provider of pan-African digital infrastructure with a 110,000 km-long fibre broadband network and satellite connectivity that provides high-speed access to the Internet anywhere in Africa. Liquid is also leveraging its digital network to provide Cloud and Cyber Security solutions through strategic partnerships with leading global players. Liquid is a comprehensive technology solutions group that provides customised digital solutions to public and private sector enterprises and SMEs across the continent. For more information, visit About DropByDrop Water Systems: DropByDrop (DBD) is Hardware Vendor Neutral, Multi-protocol Compatible, Cloud-based Smart Water Management Internet of Things (IoT) Platform with Intelligent Billing, Alerts and Geo-Asset Management, SCADA integration and Big Data Analytics capabilities.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Climate
- Reuters
Lebanon's worst drought on record drains largest reservoir
QARAOUN, Lebanon, July 15 (Reuters) - Water levels at Lebanon's largest reservoir on the Litani River have fallen to historic lows amid what experts describe as the country's worst drought on record, threatening agriculture, electricity production, and domestic water supplies. The Litani River National Authority said inflows to Lake Qaraoun during this year's wet season did not exceed 45 million cubic metres, a fraction of the 350 million cubic metres annual average. Last year, the figure stood at 230 million. The water currently available in Lake Qaraoun - around 61 million cubic meters - was unusable due to severe pollution, the authority said. "There were dry years in 1989, 1990 and 1991, but this year is the driest," said Sami Alawieh, head of the river authority. "We are facing a water scarcity problem across all Lebanese territories and water basins." Drone footage of Lake Qaraoun shows a dramatically receded shoreline, exposing cracked earth and dead vegetation. Lebanon's hydroelectric plants tied to the Litani basin have been shut down, Alawieh said, causing financial losses and intensifying electricity rationing by Electricite du Liban. "We have two factors: the decline in rainfall and the pressure on groundwater," he said. A study by the authority found climate warming and shifting weather patterns have contributed to more frequent dry seasons and higher temperatures, exacerbating soil moisture loss and reducing the recharging of groundwater reservoirs. The state utility has slashed supply in some areas from 20 hours a day to as little as 10. In the fertile area around Qaraoun village, in the Bekaa Valley, farmers were already feeling the impact. "I have never seen such drought or scarcity of rain as this year," said Safa Issa. "We used to get snow up to a metre high. Now, it's been 10 years since we've seen any." The strain has been compounded by erratic supply of electricity needed to run irrigation systems. "You irrigate for three hours, then stop for three," said Fayez Omais, another local farmer. Suzy Hoayek, an adviser to the Ministry of Energy and Water in Beirut, said a nationwide awareness campaign to reduce consumption would be launched within 10 days. "The most important thing is to manage demand," she said.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Climate
- Zawya
Lebanon's worst drought on record drains largest reservoir
Water levels at Lebanon's largest reservoir on the Litani River have fallen to historic lows amid what experts describe as the country's worst drought on record, threatening agriculture, electricity production, and domestic water supplies. The Litani River National Authority said inflows to Lake Qaraoun during this year's wet season did not exceed 45 million cubic metres, a fraction of the 350 million cubic metres annual average. Last year, the figure stood at 230 million. The water currently available in Lake Qaraoun - around 61 million cubic meters - was unusable due to severe pollution, the authority said. "There were dry years in 1989, 1990 and 1991, but this year is the driest," said Sami Alawieh, head of the river authority. "We are facing a water scarcity problem across all Lebanese territories and water basins." Drone footage of Lake Qaraoun shows a dramatically receded shoreline, exposing cracked earth and dead vegetation. Lebanon's hydroelectric plants tied to the Litani basin have been shut down, Alawieh said, causing financial losses and intensifying electricity rationing by Electricite du Liban. "We have two factors: the decline in rainfall and the pressure on groundwater," he said. A study by the authority found climate warming and shifting weather patterns have contributed to more frequent dry seasons and higher temperatures, exacerbating soil moisture loss and reducing the recharging of groundwater reservoirs. The state utility has slashed supply in some areas from 20 hours a day to as little as 10. In the fertile area around Qaraoun village, in the Bekaa Valley, farmers were already feeling the impact. "I have never seen such drought or scarcity of rain as this year," said Safa Issa. "We used to get snow up to a metre high. Now, it's been 10 years since we've seen any." The strain has been compounded by erratic supply of electricity needed to run irrigation systems. "You irrigate for three hours, then stop for three," said Fayez Omais, another local farmer. Suzy Hoayek, an adviser to the Ministry of Energy and Water in Beirut, said a nationwide awareness campaign to reduce consumption would be launched within 10 days. "The most important thing is to manage demand," she said.
Al Arabiya
2 days ago
- Climate
- Al Arabiya
Lebanon's worst drought on record drains largest reservoir
Water levels at Lebanon's largest reservoir on the Litani River have fallen to historic lows amid what experts describe as the country's worst drought on record, threatening agriculture, electricity production, and domestic water supplies. The Litani River National Authority said inflows to Lake Qaraoun during this year's wet season did not exceed 45 million cubic meters, a fraction of the 350 million cubic meters annual average. Last year, the figure stood at 230 million. The water currently available in Lake Qaraoun - around 61 million cubic meters - was unusable due to severe pollution, the authority said. 'There were dry years in 1989, 1990 and 1991, but this year is the driest,' said Sami Alawieh, head of the river authority. 'We are facing a water scarcity problem across all Lebanese territories and water basins.' Drone footage of Lake Qaraoun shows a dramatically receded shoreline, exposing cracked earth and dead vegetation. Lebanon's hydroelectric plants tied to the Litani basin have been shut down, Alawieh said, causing financial losses and intensifying electricity rationing by Electricite du Liban. 'We have two factors: the decline in rainfall and the pressure on groundwater,' he said. A study by the authority found climate warming and shifting weather patterns have contributed to more frequent dry seasons and higher temperatures, exacerbating soil moisture loss and reducing the recharging of groundwater reservoirs. The state utility has slashed supply in some areas from 20 hours a day to as little as 10. In the fertile area around Qaraoun village, in the Bekaa Valley, farmers were already feeling the impact. 'I have never seen such drought or scarcity of rain as this year,' said Safa Issa. 'We used to get snow up to a meter high. Now, it's been 10 years since we've seen any.' The strain has been compounded by erratic supply of electricity needed to run irrigation systems. 'You irrigate for three hours, then stop for three,' said Fayez Omais, another local farmer. Suzy Hoayek, an adviser to the Ministry of Energy and Water in Beirut, said a nationwide awareness campaign to reduce consumption would be launched within 10 days. 'The most important thing is to manage demand,' she said.
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
UK dry weather 2025: Will there be a drought where I live?
If you live in north-west England or Yorkshire, you are already in an official state of drought, the Environment Agency says, and people living in other English regions could follow if the dry weather of us in eastern Scotland or parts of Wales are also seeing low water levels, according to water companies can affect different aspects of our lives and the environment. It can make it harder for farmers to grow crops, do harm to nature and mean you have to change how you use how is your area doing and how close are you to a drought? Here's a look at what's happening around the country, including our rain, rivers and reservoirs. One of the driest springs on record There is no single definition of drought or water scarcity - the measure in Scotland - but a long period of low rainfall is it rained less than normal across almost all of the UK between March and May, the UK's sixth driest spring since records began in there has been less moisture to top up our rivers, reservoirs and rocks below the ground. If that lack of rainfall continues for a long time, it can strain the water supplies that serve our homes and businesses. In June there was slightly more rainfall than average for the UK overall, but with a big difference between east and west. Parts of Northern Ireland, western Scotland, Wales and south-west England saw wetter conditions than usual. But most of central and eastern England and Scotland saw dry weather forecasts suggest drier than average conditions through much of July and possibly August would further increase the risk of drought. Drier rivers for most of the UK Monitors in rivers show us how they are flowing. At the end of May these river flows were below normal for about three-quarters of monitored sites around the one in five experienced "exceptionally low" flows. Provisional June data doesn't look much flows at the end of last month were about the same as - or even below - previous drought years of 1976, 2011, 2018 and 2022 for many eastern, central and southern regions, said Lucy Barker, hydrologist at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. Exceptionally low reservoirs in north England Reservoirs are a crucial part of water supplies in northern England, Scotland and the end of May, England's reservoirs were at their lowest combined levels for the time of year in records going back more than 30 levels in the North East and North West were exceptionally low - an important factor for drought being declared in Yorkshire and the North main reason for this is, of course, the lack of rain, but a small number reservoirs can be affected by other factors. Normally at this time of year, Scottish reservoirs are 85% full. Last week they were at 79%, according to Scottish Water. They are even lower in eastern Wales, most are around normal, although the reservoirs serving Mid and South Ceredigion in west Wales are below average, Welsh Water levels are about average in Northern Ireland, according to NI Water. A more mixed picture underground Much of south-east England relies more heavily on groundwater than originates as rainfall and is naturally stored beneath the surface in the pore spaces and fractures in rocks. Rocks that store lots of groundwater are called accounts for a third of England's water supply, though this is much higher in the south and is down to the UK's varied geology, which affects how much water can be stored in the can flow more quickly through some rock types than others, sometimes taking years to respond to current is the case for parts of south and east England, which is why these regions are currently closer to normal. These groundwater stores "respond more slowly to changes in the climate than rivers which is why they provide a useful buffer during periods of drought," said Prof Alan MacDonald of the British Geological is why groundwater droughts in the South generally take a longer time to develop but can be longer-lasting if they do occur. What are the consequences of the dry weather? People and nature are already feeling the effects."It's quite shocking that we are still only [in early] July," Rachel Hallos, deputy director of the National Farmers' Union, told BBC News."It's like it's the end of August when you look at the ground."With this little rain, farmers have had to get water onto their crops using irrigation. That has made things more expensive for them and means there is even less water to go is widespread concern about the months ahead, Mrs Hallos added."What am I going to have to harvest? What am I going to have to feed my livestock over winter?"And then there is the impact on wildlife. A spokesman from the bird protection charity RSPB said that a big challenge has been making sure enough water is getting to key wetland habitats so that birds have safe places to nest."We need to be thinking about making our sites more resilient to climate change, as these periods of prolonged dry weather become the norm."And it's not just water-loving birds that are having a hard time. Even in our gardens, common visitors like blackbirds can struggle to find worms and insects on our parched lawns, the RSPB says. Is climate change to blame? Droughts are complex phenomena, driven by a mix of natural and human Met Office expects the UK to experience drier summers on average in future as the world warms, though there has been no clear trend so rising temperatures can play a more fundamental role by sapping moisture from the soil via evaporation."A warmer atmosphere is thirstier for moisture and this can mean water in the soil, rivers and reservoirs are depleted more effectively, leading to more rapidly onsetting droughts, heatwaves and wildfires," said Richard Allan, professor of climate science at the University of there are other factors that determine whether dry conditions lead to water shortages, including how we use part of plans to address water shortages, the government is planning nine new reservoirs for England by 2050, in addition to one under construction at Havant Thicket in the Environment Agency has warned that measures to tackle water leaks and control water demand - potentially including hosepipe bans and more smart meters - may be needed in England companies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also said they were taking steps to secure future supplies. Additional reporting by Dan Wainwright and Christine Jeavans Sign up for our Future Earth newsletter to keep up with the latest climate and environment stories with the BBC's Justin Rowlatt. Outside the UK? Sign up to our international newsletter here.
