Project: H2OFAIL

H2OFAIL

An encroaching desert intensifies Nigeria’s farmer-herder crisis

Muhammad Zakkari stands on a lone uprooted tree
Muhammad Zakkari, 37, stands on a lone uprooted Aduwa (desert date) tree next to where a house once stood before the sands of the Sahara overtook his former home village of Zakkari. The village is among many in the northeastern region of Yobe state in Nigeria that is on the frontlines of the desert’s encroachment. Photo by Murtala Abdullahi

How climate change and human activity are driving violence between farming and pastoralist communities.

H2OFAIL

Where is the water going?

Kings River in California’s San Joaquin Valley
As a result of the 2021 drought, there is very little water in the Kings River in California’s San Joaquin Valley. The water that is available is used on crops.

Small farmers struggle as ag titans wheel water for profit

H2OFAIL

The Gambia’s Water Paradox

Ya Nima Jaiteh, 14, washes her face at a tap in her family's compound.
Bakau - Ya Nima Jaiteh, 14, washes her face at a tap in her family's compound. Despite having access to plenty of natural fresh water, an investigation has revealed extensive contamination through the nation’s formal and informal water supply systems.

How a country with plentiful water resources is failing to provide safe water to its people

Corcoran Is Sinking, and We Might Know Why.

The Cross Creek Levee in Corcoran, CA
The Cross Creek Levee in Corcoran, CA was rebuilt in 2017 after having sunk seven feet since 1983. The levee is now at least twice the size of the previous one and protects the town from flood water coming from the south and west.

We are excited to announce the publication of our latest partner project with SJV Water and The New York Times on the sinking of a small town in California’s San Joaquin Valley.

H2OFAIL

South Africa’s rivers of sewage: More than half of SA’s treatment works are failing

  • Post author By Steve Kretzmann, Nompumelelo Mtsweni, Peter Luhanga, Nombulelo Damba
  • Media Outlet Daily Maverick
  • Post date April 26, 2021

H2OFAIL

Water, water everywhere… but not a drop to drink

  • Post author By Sechaba Mokhethi, Pascalinah Kabi
  • Post date March 31, 2021
A young woman walks up a steep, rocky slope balancing a bucket of water on top of her head.
Lindiwe Hloaele, aged 21, in the middle of her journey home to Thabaneng village, mounting a rocky slope with 25 litres of water on her head. She gets her water from an unprotected well located next to Katse Dam that shows in the background.

Disease stalks villages, as Lesotho sells water to South Africa

H2OFAIL

“Waterpreneurs” cash in on government failure to deliver clean water to islanders

  • Post author By Festus Iyorah
  • Post date March 31, 2021
NIGERIA, Lagos State, Sagbo Kodji, March 2021. Musa washes his face with some of the well water he's fetched and kept to settle, It's his routine to wash his face and feet every morning.

Struggle for water a daily reality for impoverished Nigerian island residents

H2OFAIL

Water crisis ravages City of Kings

  • Post author By Brezhnev Malaba
  • Post date December 13, 2020

Women carry the burden of collecting water for households

H2OFAIL

Grape crop brings in millions, but farm workers live a harsh life

  • Post author By Sonja Smith
  • Post date December 13, 2020

Vineyards well watered, while people struggle for water

H2OFAIL

Why Las Vegas Is at the Heart of Western States’ Water Conundrums

  • Post author By Frederick Clayton
  • Media Outlet Truthout
  • Post date November 15, 2020

Without global action, Las Vegas will experience 71 days above 100 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050. The impacts of such climate change are twofold, as less water comes down the Colorado River, and residents use more water in the heat.