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All over the world, while OECD and DEV countries mostly prefer to use
produced wastewater, they preferred to use desalinated water. The second most
preferred way for using wastewater is treated wastewater re-use (Annex 6). There is
very little use of wastewater in COMCEC countries.
Figure 7.2. Total Dam Capacities
Source: AQUASTAT, 2013
7.1. African Group
Most of the African countries are facing significant water scarcity. Especially in
Libya and Saudi Arabia, the greatest water resources of the Northern African Countries
are fossil water storages. Such resources are rarely fed by precipitations. In Africa,
about 300 million population live in 11 countries and all of these countries have water
per capita below the limits. Besides, spatial distribution of water resources is not
homogeneous in Africa and water resources are largely located in countries with less
demand. Ground waters constitute the largest source to meet domestic water needs and
more than 75% of people use ground water for domestic purposes. Africa is also
exposed to most severe impacts of global warming. African countries with rapid
increase in their populations have serious infrastructural problems and exposed to
poverty, drought and epidemics. Natural disasters cause the death of millions each year.