Sustainable Water Resources Management Based on the DPSIR Framework in East and West African Countries

The effects of human activities due to the continuous and rapid development of agriculture and industry have caused major environmental damages. Natural resource degradation, specifically of water, poses a threat to socioeconomic growth and development, even to human survival. Many researchers have proposed different methodologies for describing and analyzing the problems so far. The final objective of these efforts is to identify the optimum measures that will lead to effective management and thus water sustainability. However, current management strategies may not be sustainable. Climate change projections predict that drought periods will be prolonged and water supply will be threatened along with food and health security. In this context, the EWA-BELT project examines the human and ecological factors affecting water quality and quantity in selected case studies in West and East African countries (Ghana, Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Tanzania). This chapter attempts to evaluate the sustainability of water utilization in selected areas of the above countries through the use of the Driving Forces-Pressure-Status-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model in a geographic information system (GIS) environment, aiming at contributing to the optimization of water resources management. The DPSIR model is widely accepted and used in environmental research. It allows for an overview of an environmental problem in a simple quick manner. Therefore, it has proved to be a very useful communication tool between scientists of different disciplines. The DPSIR model is intended to identify the natural conditions occurring in the examined river basins, the level of economic activity, the water demand, and water pollution. Taking into account the environmental, social, and economic impacts on the local people, the framework proposes strategic solutions and comprehensive actions for dealing with the problems. It improves sustainable water resources management and secures food and water availability for the next generations.