NAIROBI WATER TOWER

The supply of water in Nairobi is greatly affected by drought. This is mainly because of deforestation in the main water towers such as Mau Forest. This solution aims to reduce the effects of drought through reforestation while minimizing the displacement of indigenous Mau forest communities and other settlers.

The Mau Forest is one of Nairobi city's major water towers and a vital water catchment area. Over the past 3 decades, Nairobi city has been faced with major shortage of clean water. The rivers meant to fill the dams supplying the city continually fail to reach  ideal levels, a direct effect of the deforestation. Just this year alone, Nairobi is being faced with a cholera outbreak, fueled by the scarcity of reliable clean water. As of 18th July, 381 cases were reported including 4 deaths. The Government has been evicting settlers in Mau forest since 1997, to facilitate its rehabilitation. However, evicted families often end up in poorly conditioned camps, in contradiction to basic human rights. An estimated 2300 families are currently living in camps. This solution suggests, instead of evicting the forest dwellers, the government can utilize them as human resource to conserve the forest. Communities living in the Mau practice logging and charcoal burning as economic activities. Kenya is missing the opportunity to utilize and pay them to farm trees instead. Paying them to plant and take care of the Mau forest, will increase reforestation and reduce displacement. These changes will improve the water catchment area. increase the water levels in the rivers supplying the city, directly leading to increase in supply and availability of clean, reliable and sustainable water to the residents. The Mau evictions and deforestation of the Mau forest have been a burning issue in Kenya for years. Prioritizing between the people and the forest has been a point of contention. This solution caters for both. It can be scaled globally, as many urban areas face the same dilemma of conserving water catchment areas  and reducing displacement of settlers. It is more effective than resettlement and hiring others to conserve the water catchment area.

Nairobi is Kenya's biggest and busiest urban area. The ability of the city to have sustainable, reliable food is highly dependent of water supply, which is directly influenced by the state of the water towers. Restoration of the Mau forest is vital if the city is to ensure it's residents have clean water. Many households don't have access to running water and have to purchase from vendors and water bowers. The Nairobi County Council credits the shortages to drought, warranting water rationing. Restoring the Mau forest is the city's best bet at getting sustainable water.

This will bring about the change needed because the main reason for the destruction of the Mau forest is for the economic value of it's products. If given an alternative means to gain economically, they'll not need to destroy the forest, especially if its well-being is the income-generating factor. This theory has been proven in the Western part of Kenya where families that own small-scale forests are paid to maintain them, in order for the country to meet its carbon credit. This success can be replicated in the Mau forest to increase supply of water to the city. 

The impact of this solution will be increase in supply of water to Nairobi city, increase in food production within the city, reduction of water-borne diseases, resettling of displace families, protection of the indigenous Ogiek community, and provision of jobs. The beneficiaries of the solution are communities living and depending directly on the forest and residents of Nairobi. They will be able to access these benefits through mass awareness campaigns in liaison with county governments. 

Monitoring the levels of the Nairobi dam in comparison to previous years and monitoring supply systems - Supply of water to Nairobi city

Monitoring data from the agricultural and health sectors - Increase in food production and reduction of water-borne diseases

Monitoring the numbers of internally displaced persons through the county and national government - resettling of displaced families

This solution is unique as it uses a combination of technologies from and within different sectors of the economy that enables it to not only be easily monitored, but that the effects are widespread. A lot of solutions in regards to water supply tend to exclude the natural source of the issues and exclude options that allow nature to take its course and restore itself. This solution will allow countries to manage and monitor all aspects of its water system and maintain it from the root to the stem, without further polluting the environment. 

This is human centered as it will directly influence various aspects of peoples lives. This method of restoring water catchment areas will prevent displacement of people, ensure residents get clean reliable water, lead to creation of jobs, increase supply of food and overall cater to the most basic of human rights. This is why it does not only use a single type of technology or only one economic sector but a combination of the most vital ones. This solution also requires great participation and cooperation from affected communities.

The solution will be deployed, in it's initial stages through mass education and creation of awareness. This can be done through mass and social media. This solution is affordable because it does not require funds directly from the communities. This is because, regardless of it needing communal participation and cooperation, it will be more successful if implemented with and by the county and national governments. The communities are required more in cooperation, participation, feedback and opinions than in financing. 

We plan to work with local organizations that align with both our short-term and long-term goals. We also plan to work with government agencies. 

Financial factors:for the research needed to be carried out to make the solution practical requires expenses that we are not able to meet at this time.

Government rigidity:it may face the risk of being rejected by governments in favor of past methods, influenced by political factors as well.

Disinterest:communities targeted by this may also not be interested in the implementation process.

Climate change: The negative effects of climate in the long run, might render the solution under-productive

Expertise: it needs more advise and mentor-ship from various experts in the various fields for it to be successfully implemented.

Solve can give us the platform to improve our idea by listening to opinions of those who are more experienced and have more knowledge than we do. Solve can also make it easier for us to get a platform to expand the concept and source for funds to make it better. Moreover, the interaction with other peer solvers could be vital for global problems and can create good channel for collaboration. 

We have approached several organization but have't got a concrete response yet