Water Pollution: A Deadly Crisis

Water pollution is a pressing issue that affects countries from the US to China. While the total number of pollution-related deaths has not changed in the past five years, the sources have shifted. In 2015, an extensive report estimated that 9 million premature deaths worldwide were linked to pollution, with the majority of deaths coming from air pollution. Globally, contaminated water is the second-biggest cause of premature deaths caused by pollution, with approximately 1.4 million fatalities annually. Microbiologically contaminated drinking water can transmit diseases such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and polio, causing an estimated 505,000 diarrhoeal deaths each year. Diarrhoea alone is estimated to cause 1 million deaths annually as a result of unsafe drinking water, sanitation, and hand hygiene.

Waterborne diseases

There are several common waterborne diseases, including cholera, typhoid fever, and Legionnaires' disease. Cholera is commonly found in humanitarian emergencies or marginalized villages where poverty and poor sanitation are prevalent. It is spread through contaminated water and causes severe dehydration and diarrhoea, which is the central symptom of most waterborne diseases. Typhoid fever is also well-known in extremely poor parts of the world with an estimated 20 million cases worldwide each year. It is spread through contaminated food, unsafe water, and poor sanitation, and it is highly contagious. Legionnaires' disease is caused by the Legionella bacteria, which has emerged as a leading cause of hospitalizations and deaths from waterborne diseases.

To prevent waterborne diseases, it is important to have access to safe, clean water and practice good hygiene and sanitation. This includes washing hands frequently, only consuming water that is bottled and sealed, and avoiding food from street vendors or villages in areas with poor sanitation and unsafe water. It is also important to ensure that water management programs are in place to limit the growth and spread of waterborne pathogens, especially in complex water systems used by high-rises, hospitals, and water parks.

In addition to causing gastrointestinal illnesses, waterborne diseases can also lead to respiratory illnesses, neurological illnesses, skin problems, and bloodstream infections. Recent estimates of the impact of waterborne diseases have revealed a shift in the types of diseases and routes of exposure, with respiratory illnesses and neurological illnesses becoming more prevalent. This shift may be attributed to the increasing complexity of water systems and the challenges associated with maintaining water quality and effective disinfection.

Unsafe drinking water

Diarrhea poses the most significant threat, causing approximately 505,000 deaths annually and contributing to 69% of the WASH-attributable disease burden. Other diseases transmitted by unsafe drinking water include cholera, dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis A, and polio. These waterborne illnesses disproportionately affect children, who are especially vulnerable to water-related diseases.

The lack of access to safe drinking water is not just a health issue but also a human rights concern. The United Nations General Assembly recognized in 2010 that everyone has the right to sufficient, continuous, safe, acceptable, accessible, and affordable water for personal and domestic use. Despite this, an estimated 772 million people worldwide still lack even basic access to safe drinking water, according to the United Nations.

The impact of unsafe drinking water is not limited to health and human rights but also affects economic growth and poverty reduction. Improving water supply and sanitation, as well as better managing water resources, are crucial steps in addressing this global challenge. Climate change, increasing water scarcity, population growth, and urbanization further complicate these efforts, especially in water-stressed countries, where over 2 billion people reside.

To summarize, unsafe drinking water is a pressing global issue that results in approximately 1.4 million deaths annually, with diarrhea being the leading cause of death. This problem demands urgent attention and comprehensive solutions, including improved water supply, sanitation, and sustainable water resource management, to protect the health and well-being of people worldwide, particularly children.

Poor sanitation

Unsafe WASH services expose individuals to contaminated water, which can transmit diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and polio. Diarrhoeal diseases alone claim the lives of approximately 505,000 people each year, with an additional 395,000 children under the age of five dying from diarrhoea due to unsafe drinking water, sanitation, and hand hygiene. The impact of poor sanitation is particularly severe in developing regions, with Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia experiencing high mortality rates from diarrhoeal diseases.

The economic implications of inadequate sanitation and water pollution are also significant. The global economic losses attributed to mortality and morbidity from inadequate water and sanitation exceed $260 billion annually, according to WHO estimates. This includes substantial losses in productivity, health expenditures, and labour impacts, with regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and India facing considerable economic burdens.

To address these challenges, concerted global efforts are necessary to expand access to clean water and improve sanitation infrastructure. Strategies such as public education programs on hygiene and sanitation practices, and routine water quality monitoring and remediation, can play a crucial role in reducing the health and economic impacts of water pollution. Additionally, investments in water and sanitation improvements yield significant economic returns, with every $1 invested generating $4-$12 in economic benefits in developing nations, according to WHO estimates.

The United Nations recognizes the human right to water and sanitation, emphasizing the importance of sufficient, continuous, safe, accessible, and affordable water for personal and domestic use. By improving access to water, sanitation, and hygiene, it is estimated that up to 1.4 million lives can be saved annually, highlighting the urgency of addressing these critical issues.

Industrial pollution

Water pollution is a significant global issue with far-reaching consequences for both human health and the environment. Industrial pollution is one of the leading causes of water contamination, and it has been linked to a multitude of health issues and an increased risk of death.

Industrial activities, such as manufacturing, mining, and agriculture

Insect-borne diseases

While it is challenging to establish a direct link between water pollution and mortality rates, the impact of polluted water on human health is indisputable. Among the various consequences, the propagation of insect-borne diseases stands out as a significant concern.

Insects, such as mosquitoes, flies, and midges

Frequently asked questions