The Case for More Water Quality Data: Improving Decision Making in Malawi

Abstract

The increasing growth in the population of developing countries, such as Malawi, Africa, combined with a lack of strict environmental safeguards, has given rise to serious concerns about water quality, and the associated threats to human health and the environment. However, analytical data on water quality in these countries are limited, but water quality appears to be degraded with intensive agriculture and rapid urbanization. There is a dire need for increased availability of analytical water quality data. The problem is compounded by few existing high quality investigations and data not often being published in peer-reviewed publications. Yet, there is a bona fide logistical and infrastructural struggle to such field investigations in remote areas with a general lack of equipment and trained personnel. The situation provides a unique opportunity for well-planned use of field instrumentation and active collaboration with university partners. The need for additional analytical water quality data in developing countries such as Malawi is a problem with struggles that can be overcome by taking a modern approach to this unique opportunity. Water quality data is desperately needed to improve decision making in Malawi.