It is important to appreciate that in addition to effects on the water cycle activities in urban areas can also be harmful to the air and land sectors of the environment. Attempts to solve pollution problems in a single sector may cause unwanted effects in another sector. There is thus a strong need to ensure that urban pollution problems are dealt with in an integrated manner which uses the best practicable environmental option. The continuing shift in population from rural to urban areas coupled with the overall growth in the populations of African cities are placing enormous pressures on the water environment of many cities. Serious shortages of water are made worse by the degradation of environmental quality resulting from urban development.
Cities consistently have problems with repair and maintenance of sewerage systems.
Many areas lack sewerage and sanitation systems entirely. Peoples' health suffers and women as household managers and water managers in particular, are badly affected. Where sanitation does exist, disposal of septage and latrine contents is frequently unsatisfactory. The problem is thus that of cities facing increasing difficulties in meeting overall development goals, which are to ensure that people live healthy and productive lives and that the natural environment is protected and enhanced where feasible. The objectives of the project for managing water for African cities are to develop a sustainable framework to address the growing water crisis and to protect the continent's water resources and aquatic environment from the increasing volume of pollution from cities.