THE ASSESSMENT OF THE INFLUENCE OF POPULATION GROWTH ON WATER RESOURCES IN PANGANI RIVER BASIN IN MOSHI, KILIMANJARO, TANZANIA

Global population is about 7.6 billion where as china is the leading country with approximately a population of 1.4 billion people (Ometres, 2018). Almost 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water. Yet possibly 2 billion people are living in areas with persistent water shortages. Quantitative supply and water quality problems are rising and could hinder economic development and human well being in general. In other words, water no longer can be taken for granted. Fresh water is only in a small fraction (2.5) percent of all the water present on our planet. Furthermost fresh water is in form of permanent ice and snow (FAO, 1994).

Africa is estimated to have about 1.3 billion population, as a result of rapid population growth, sub-Saharan Africa has faced tremendous impact on supply of clean and safe water. Northern part of Africa has 92% safe water coverage, sub-Saharan Africa remains at low 60% of coverage leaving 40%  of 783 million people in that region without access to clean drinking water. It is estimated 800 million people who live in Africa 300 million live in a stressed   water environment (Archive 2016). According to FAO (2011) water shortage is growing with pollution salinization and degradation of water bodies.