Fluid boundaries: A cross-country exploration of groundwater quality amid threats from climate change

Even though access to improved water supply sources in the world is known to have risen this is not the case in least-developed countries (LDCs), where water demand exceeds the availability of resources in several places culminating into water stress or water scarcity. As if that's not enough developmental issues, the onset of the effect of climate change is pushing these countries into severe water and socio-economic crises. Climate change has not only affected the availability of water resources but the quality also. The groundwater quality status of some LDCs have been reviewed to ascertain the level of vulnerability of the groundwater resources in the wake of climate change. Parameters such as pH, TDS, nitrate and biological contaminants were used as indicators of pollution of the groundwater resources. Most of the groundwater resources have deteriorated due to both anthropogenic and geogenic factors and the suggested effects of climate change will exacerbate the situation. The paper further discusses the frameworks and policies that must be put in place to safeguard the integrity of the groundwater resources for socio-economic empowerment and improvement in the livelihoods of the people.