"CAPE TOWN -- Africa's cities are growing at a faster rate than anywhere else in the world, stressing drinking water supplies and sanitation services, says a new UN report released to mark World Water Day 2011.

The Rapid Response Assessment by the United Nations Environment Programme and UN-Habitat, "Green Hills, Blue Cities," finds that 40 percent of Africa's one billion people live in urban areas where water supplies and sanitation are inadequate.

The theme of this year's World Water Day, which falls on March 22 every year, is "Water for cities: responding to the urban water challenge." The main event is a three-day exhibition and fair hosted by the government of South Africa at the Cape Town International Convention Centre."

Environment News Service had the story March 22, 2011. [2]