<P> One of Southern Africa's biggest issues is the lack of clean water . According to The United Nation's Convention on Climate Change on South Africa in 2000, the water around Africa is unevenly distributed, meaning that 60% of the water is situated in only 20% of the land . Less than 10% of Southern Africa's surface water is accessible and due to the fact that a majority of their ground water lay under large rock formations, ground water becomes difficult to access as well . Climate change and its attendant effects on temperature and precipitation may have an additional impact . </P> <P> Many Africans are moving to rural areas, adding to the already high demands for clean water and while demands are growing drastically, freshwater supplies remain limited . Adding to the high demands, Durban's dam has decreased by 20% since 2010, and up to 30% of the water has either been stolen or given away illegally through international trading . "A review of water availability in 1996 estimated that the total average annual surface runoff was 150 million cubic metres, the maximum potential annual system yield was 33 290 million cubic metres, and total water annual requirements were 20 045 million cubic metres . Water requirements could increase by about 50% by 2030 (Department of Water and Forestry, 2000a)." </P> <P> Although South Africa has one of the best, cleanest water out of all the countries in Southern Africa, many don't have access to basic sanitations . A majority of Southern Africa's accessible water is unclean, making the water vulnerable for water transmitted diseases to exist . Water - borne diseases such as Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E increase, while some of the water become so unclean that diseases such as: Typhoid fever, Leptospirosis, Schistosomiasis, and Bilharzia are transmitted through water contact . </P> <P> As the population of people moving to urbanized areas increase, the demands for food supply also grow . As a mean to keep up with these high demands, the use of fertilization and sewage contamination also incline . Nitrates and phosphates found in fertilizers and sewage wastes causes eutrophication, which is harmful to other species in the environment . Eutrophication increases algae blooms, which may cause illnesses such as: diarrhea, hayfever, skin rashes, vomiting, fevers, gastroenteritis, muscle and joint pains, and eye irritations . </P>

Main causes of water pollution in south africa