Urban water pollution and irrigated vegetable farming in Addis Ababa.

Water pollution can be considered as a side-effect of economic growth and is a common phenomenon in fast growing cities in developing countries. This paper describes the situation in Addis Ababa by tracing the origins of pollution and by focusing on urban and peri-urban farmers who depend on polluted water sources for irrigated agriculture. Discharge of untreated effluent from industries, solid wastes and wastewater from households and institutions, are the major sources of pollution of the rivers flowing through the city. For existing industries, pollution control mechanisms such as discharge permits and limits to the disposal of effluents into the environment should be enforced. The local and state governments should enhance public sensitization programs on hygiene, sanitation and environmental issues.