**Table 2.**

*Estimated and projected annual available water resources (ACA) in the Athi river basin (unit: MCM/year).*


### **Table 3.**

*Estimated and projected water demands by sub-sector (ACA) in the study basin.*


#### **Table 4.**

*Ratios of water demands/available water resources and water deficits/water demands (ACA).*

experiencing severe water stress. The expected water stress ratio is projected to increase to 281% by 2030. The estimated water deficits of 745 MCM/year in 2010 are projected increase to 4,153 MCM/year by the year 2030 as indicated in **Table 4**. The study envisages that the water demands that can be covered by the available water resources are as presented in **Table 5** taking into account the allocated amounts of the surface water and groundwater to satisfy the 2030 water demands as given in the JICA [1] baseline report.

The present study notes that due limited water resources and to afford a viable irrigation system and sustainable food production in the basin and enhanced livelihoods, the projected target of new irrigation development area of 233,628 ha for 2030 need to be reduced to 46,108 ha based on the water resources allocation plan and used as the data base for the future water resources management plan of the Athi catchment area [1]. In general, the Athi basin is likely to experience enormous water shortages within the projected period. This scenario compounded with the increasing trends of water demands, intensive irrigation projects, competition in water uses and increasing water quality degradation means that proper water use strategies should be put in place to avert a looming danger of severe water scarcity in the basin. This is likely to have negative impacts on the people's livelihood in the basin since majority relies on rain fed agriculture.


*A Critical Analysis of the Water Quality Impacts on Water Resources in the Athi River… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99667*

*\* Including water demand to be supplied by water resources of Tanzania of 154 MCM/year. Source: JICA Study Team [1].*

#### **Table 5.**

*Water resources allocation plan for water demands in 2030 after balance water study (ACA) (unit: MCM/year).*
