SA water crisis drains economic gains

The UN is warning that the sabotage of water supplies near the Syrian capital amounts to a war crime. The main water source for Damascus has been cut off as fighting rages on in Wadi Barada.

It's an environmental issue that's become a thorny political problem. Iran has been experiencing severe drought for several years. A growing population, increased water consumption and government mismanagement are all to blame.

In the Brazilian city of Rio, thousands of residents have been facing a drinking water crisis. Experts have recorded an abnormal amount of geosmin, a substance produced by micro algae that proliferate in water. Authorities and the company in charge of water distribution insist the substance isn't dangerous. But many residents are complaining of nausea and stomach aches. Our correspondents Fanny Lothaire, Pierre Le Duff and Laura Damase take us to the areas of Rio most affected and also to the source of the problem.

A man was shot dead during protests that started in several cities in Iran over ongoing water shortages. Iranian authorities blamed his death on "rioters."

Starting on November 6, Egypt will host the COP27 climate change conference. Nearly 100 heads of state are expected in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. Egypt itself has been experiencing first-hand the effects of climate change, as a lack of water threatens agriculture. The waters of the Nile, a symbol of prosperity in Egypt since ancient times, are no longer enough to support the needs of a growing population. Our correspondents Edouard Dropsy, Justine Babin and Matthew Thompson report.

The health of millions of people in Lebanon — especially children — is at risk because of a limited supply of safe water, Unicef has warned. The water crisis, which is largely because of a severe lack of electricity, is also affecting hospitals, health centres and schools.

People residing in and around the Sundarbans — the world's largest mangrove forest — are being forced to spend their meager incomes on buying drinking water as climate change and local policies exhaust their options.

The UN has released the World Water Development Report 2023, which paints a grim picture of rising global water scarcity. The report says that seasonal scarcity will continue to increase due to climate change.

Coucouron has been receiving its drinking water by road. The surrounding region was previously not thought to be at risk of drought. The French government has announced a national plan to use water more efficiently.

CNBC Africa is joined by Gundo Maswime, Civil Engineer Lecturer at the University Cape Town and Kasief Isaacs, Head of Private Markets at Mergence Investment Managers for this discussion.

Dry rivers, thirsty villages and depleted groundwater reserves: as water supply grows ever more uncertain, France is gearing up for another dry summer. But the country has a game plan for survival: share, reuse and save a dwindling resource. The Down to Earth team takes a closer look.