**1. Introduction**

The Republic of Senegal, located at the extreme western tip of the African continent, covers an area of 196,722 km2 for a population of 13,508,715 inhabitants [1]. There are three climatic domains in Senegal, from south to north: the southern Sudan, northern Sudan and Sahelian domains, each domain having two variants (coastal and continental) [2]. Located in the tropical zone, Senegal has a Sudano-Sahelian climate with annual rainfall ranging from about 1250 mm in the south to just over 200 mm in the north. The potential of Senegal's water resources (surface and groundwater) is important. Three rivers originating from Guinea (the Senegal, Gambia and Kayanga rivers) irrigate a large part of the country [3, 4]. Alongside these two large rivers, there are smaller rivers characterized by intermittent flows (Casamance, Kayanga, Sine-Saloum (**Figure 1**). Five management and planning units (PMUs) have been established for the management of these different categories of water resources (1. Senegal River Valley, 2. Peanut Basin, 3. Senegal-East, 4. Casamance, 5. Cape Verde Peninsula) subdivided into 28 sub-units (**Figure 1**) [5].

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*Resources of Water*

**References**

Press; 2015

October 2001.

2008;**3**:19-25

34, 1943.

251, 1942.

[1] Kaleem MK. Fluid Mechanics, and Machinery. India: Oxford University

[2] Franzini, J.B. and Finnemore, E.J., Fluid Mechanics with Engineering Applications. McGraw-Hill Education.

[3] Javaid MS, Khalid L. "Hydrologic Science - Where we stand today?" In: "Hydrology – The Science of Water". London, UK: IntechOpen Publishers;

[4] Chaudhry AZ. Energy Dissipation

September 2019. pp. p1-p6

Problems Downstream of the Jinnah Barrage. Pakistan Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

[5] Chaudhry AZ, Nasim NH, Shakoor A. Alternative Report to Subsidiary Weir, Rehabilitation and Modernization of Jinnah Barrage Project. Government of Punjab, Pakistan: Irrigation and Power Department; April 2008

[6] Mahboob, S. I. Design, and Construction of Kalabagh Barrage, Punjab Engineering Congress, Paper No.

[7] Mahboob S. I. The Kalabagh Barrage, Punjab Engineering Congress, Paper No.

[8] Munawar Iqbal, Modeling for Optimization of Parameters of Sediment Transport for Cascade Hydropower Projects on Poonch River, doctoral thesis, UET Taxila, 2019.

#### **Figure 1.**

*Water resources management and planning unit in Senegal (source: DGPRE).*

Groundwater is also an essential component of Senegal's water potential and generally consists of four major aquifer systems corresponding to the main geological formations: the superficial aquifer system or "terminal complex" (Quaternary); the intermediate aquifer system (Eocene and Paleocene); the deep aquifer system (or Maestrichtian); the aquifer system of the basement [6].

In Senegal, the potential for water resources (surface and groundwater) is high and the availability of renewable water is currently estimated at around 4747 m3 / inhabitant/year [6]. Estimates indicate about 80% of its population have access to a drinking water supply in 2915 [7]. However, the United Nations classifies Senegal as a water-poor country with less than 1000 m3 per capita [8]. Thus, the issue of water has become a national concern given the range of issues facing the sector [9]. These problems include, among others, climate variability, vulnerability of water resources, poor distribution of water availability in space and time, poor water quality in some places. The water crisis can be explained both by the absolute lack of physical availability, poverty and inadequate water management policies. In general, Senegal has a large potential for water resources, but its uneven distribution, its overabundance in the rainy season often causes catastrophic floods and shortage in the dry season causes severe drought conditions resulting in crop losses, livestock, public health problems and environmental degradation [10].

These numerous factors, such as global warming (recurring and severe droughts and floods), contamination of drinking water and lack of investment in water resources have exacerbated the water crisis, whose role in the achievement of its development objectives is incommensurate [11]. Its economic performance and the reduction of poverty depend mainly on the availability of drinking water. A set of economic activities in Senegal (agriculture, industrialization, energy production and tourism) are inherent to the availability of water resources. At the same time, access to safe and sufficient water is necessary for the well-being of the population.

Senegal is home to some major cities, namely Dakar, Pikine and Touba, Thies. The capital of Senegal, Dakar, was founded by Faidherbe in 1862, on the site of a fishing village. It was the capital of the AOF from 1902. Enjoying a strategic geographical location, the city is since the colonial era, a maritime and air junction between Africa, Europe and America. It covers an area of 550 km2 and has about

**103**

*Water Resources and Their Management in an Increasing Urban Demography: The Case…*

23% of the total population of Senegal estimated 15,256,346 inhabitants, according to demographic projections in 2017 [12]. It is the largest city in Senegal and is its

The water cuts that have become commonplace in many parts of the country, affect more seriously the capital, Dakar where the daily deficit is estimated at more

per day to meet the demand of the Dakar population, but it drags a

In Senegal, the urban population is estimated at 6,541,504 people in 2015 including 3,360,728 for the Dakar region [12]. In these urban areas, the rate of access by connection within the covered perimeter stabilizes in December 2015 at 88.9% with 96.2% for the Dakar region. Thus the total production of water was 172.27 mil-

quench its thirst and satisfy its water needs. The Senegalese Water (SDE) needs

heavy deficit in the correct supply of water. At present, a large part of the city's population does not have access to running water 24 hours a day. From 200,000 subscribers in 1996, the SDE is now struggling to satisfy its 800,000 current

For the Dakar water supply system (WSS), production reached 124.2 million m3 [13]. As a result, there is a tendency to saturate the facilities of the Dakar AEP (for example, Mékhé is running at almost 24 hours). Because of the size of the population of Dakar, part of this population does not have access to either an improved water source or running water. For example, some outlying districts (in the suburbs of Dakar) do not receive water every day, while others almost never receive water

In some cities in Senegal, the biggest challenge in the city is often lack of water supply. For example, residents obtain water from individual connections, public connections, wells, springs and water vendors that are not monitored [11]. In addition, water pollution does not save tap water and its consumption can often be harmful to the health of populations. It is for this reason that a good part of the

The city of Dakar has been chosen for the management of water scarcity in a context of growing demography and urbanization. Due to increased water demand in the Senegalese capital, residents of some neighborhoods are frequently randomly supplied with running water, with the suburbs being the most affected. The ever increasing hydraulic equipment fails to meet the needs of the population. The difficulty of supplying drinking water, which often strikes the Dakar inhabitants, comes in the context of global warming and the removal of resources that are increasingly important. Suddenly, the Senegalese government must expand its production capacity and distribution networks if it wants to keep pace with unprecedented

**2. The challenges facing the water sector in Senegal's main cities**

ture, and (6) the incompetence of the water distribution companies.

As a developing country, Senegal's human, monetary and institutional capacities are often limited to providing clean and sufficient water efficiently to its citizens. Water scarcity in large cities like Dakar is chronic and continues to worsen with increasing urbanization and pollution of the resource. Most of the time, SDE water disruption notices are the norm in urban areas (**Figure 2**). Water scarcity may worsen in the future for several reasons: (1) increased water demand due to rapid urbanization, (2) poor water management, (3) degradation continuous water sources, (4) irregular weather conditions, (5) old and dilapidated water infrastruc-

/day, the capital struggles to

, or 110% of realization.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.90218*

than 20,000 m3

300,000 m3

subscribers.

lion m3

political, administrative, economic and cultural center.

. With a consumption of 360,000 m3

against an annual forecast of 169.7 million m3

population prefer bottled water for their consumption.

because of the low water pressure.

population growth.

### *Water Resources and Their Management in an Increasing Urban Demography: The Case… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.90218*

23% of the total population of Senegal estimated 15,256,346 inhabitants, according to demographic projections in 2017 [12]. It is the largest city in Senegal and is its political, administrative, economic and cultural center.

The water cuts that have become commonplace in many parts of the country, affect more seriously the capital, Dakar where the daily deficit is estimated at more than 20,000 m3 . With a consumption of 360,000 m3 /day, the capital struggles to quench its thirst and satisfy its water needs. The Senegalese Water (SDE) needs 300,000 m3 per day to meet the demand of the Dakar population, but it drags a heavy deficit in the correct supply of water. At present, a large part of the city's population does not have access to running water 24 hours a day. From 200,000 subscribers in 1996, the SDE is now struggling to satisfy its 800,000 current subscribers.

In Senegal, the urban population is estimated at 6,541,504 people in 2015 including 3,360,728 for the Dakar region [12]. In these urban areas, the rate of access by connection within the covered perimeter stabilizes in December 2015 at 88.9% with 96.2% for the Dakar region. Thus the total production of water was 172.27 million m3 against an annual forecast of 169.7 million m3 , or 110% of realization. For the Dakar water supply system (WSS), production reached 124.2 million m3 [13]. As a result, there is a tendency to saturate the facilities of the Dakar AEP (for example, Mékhé is running at almost 24 hours). Because of the size of the population of Dakar, part of this population does not have access to either an improved water source or running water. For example, some outlying districts (in the suburbs of Dakar) do not receive water every day, while others almost never receive water because of the low water pressure.

In some cities in Senegal, the biggest challenge in the city is often lack of water supply. For example, residents obtain water from individual connections, public connections, wells, springs and water vendors that are not monitored [11]. In addition, water pollution does not save tap water and its consumption can often be harmful to the health of populations. It is for this reason that a good part of the population prefer bottled water for their consumption.

The city of Dakar has been chosen for the management of water scarcity in a context of growing demography and urbanization. Due to increased water demand in the Senegalese capital, residents of some neighborhoods are frequently randomly supplied with running water, with the suburbs being the most affected. The ever increasing hydraulic equipment fails to meet the needs of the population. The difficulty of supplying drinking water, which often strikes the Dakar inhabitants, comes in the context of global warming and the removal of resources that are increasingly important. Suddenly, the Senegalese government must expand its production capacity and distribution networks if it wants to keep pace with unprecedented population growth.
