Strategies for tackling water scarcity - 'Hard' vs. 'Soft' path approaches

In the past, the main method of overcoming water stress has been to invest heavily in infrastructure, particularly dams, to manage supply. This engineering response has been successful in producing cheap food and providing water and sanitation to large numbers of people, but the flip-side is also still apparent (Rijsberman, 2006). A new strategy is needed shifting the focus to demand management. 

The phrase “soft path for water” was coined by Pacific Institute founder, Dr. Peter Gleick. He explains this approach as more results being achieved at less cost, by adjusting the demands on what is presently available, rather than exploiting more of nature’s resources by seeking new supplies (Gleick, 2003). As large areas of Africa become increasingly water scarce, achievable approaches are needed given the limited means available to Africa’s policy makers. Soft path methods to reduce demand are far more realistic than high-cost, "hard path" engineering projects. Organisations such as the World Water Council and Global Water Partnership now encourage strategies that aim for higher water efficiency. 

A soft path approach success story is Biogas Technologies West Africa Limited and their work utilising human waste in specially constructed toilets. The toilets generate biogas, which then drive the lighting and mechanical pumps used to supply water for the toilets (Biogas Online). All the water is recovered and re-used, thereby saving a lot of valuable freshwater. This technology has been implemented in schools, hospitals and military barracks in Ghana and Ivory Coast with great results (Omole and Ndambuki, 2014). 

The advantages of soft path methods are clear: They are considerably cheaper than engineering options, and also incorporate local users in decision making processes. Educating people on impending water scarcity issues and also the methods to reduce their demands will have a far better impact than foreign investors muscling in with a costly infrastructure project. 

The debate about the merits of both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ paths and which should be pursued in adapting to water scarcity has huge importance. While academics, scientists and policy-makers decide on the best strategy for tackling this increasing problem, it is vital people are being made aware of these issues and can work towards better water efficiency in the mean time.