Meghan Hodges
Water pollution is a pressing global issue that jeopardizes human health and the environment. Unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation are leading causes of morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries and among children. According to various sources and studies, water pollution is responsible for a significant number of deaths worldwide. In 2015, approximately 1.8 million deaths were attributed to water pollution, and unsafe water is estimated to cause over 1 million deaths annually due to diarrheal diseases. The negative health impacts of water pollution are extensive, ranging from diarrhea, skin diseases, malnutrition, and cancer to various other waterborne illnesses. The effects of water pollution disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including low-income communities and children, who are often exposed to toxic chemicals and contaminated water sources. The global water crisis demands urgent attention, with 2.2 billion people still lacking access to safe water, underscoring the critical need for improved water supply, sanitation, and sustainable solutions to address water scarcity and pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of deaths caused by water pollution in 2015 | 1.8 million |
| Number of deaths caused by water pollution-induced diarrhea annually | 1 million (WHO estimate), 829,000 (UNESCO estimate), 2 million (UN, 2016) |
| Number of children under 5 who die from water pollution-induced diarrhea annually | 395,000 (WHO estimate), 300,000 (UNESCO estimate) |
| Number of people globally who lack access to improved sources of drinking water | 650 million |
| Number of people globally who lack access to safe water | 2.2 billion |
| Number of people who die annually due to inadequate water supply, sanitation, and hygiene | 3.5 million |
| Number of people who fall ill annually due to unsafe water | 1 billion |
| Number of diseases caused by poor drinking water quality | 50 |
| Percentage of diseases related to poor drinking water quality | 80% |
| Percentage of child deaths related to poor drinking water quality | 50% |
What You'll Learn
Waterborne pathogens
The quality of water in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and groundwater is determined by factors such as geology, climate, topography, biological processes, land use, and water residence time. However, the level of sanitation is the most critical factor in determining the contamination of drinking water with pathogens. Human and agricultural waste pose a significant risk of waterborne diseases, with bacteria such as Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio cholerae, Leptospira, and Yersinia enterocolitica causing intestinal diseases.
To combat waterborne pathogens, various interventions have been proposed, including drinking water disinfection, increasing access to safe water, improving sanitation, and implementing public health interventions. Chlorine disinfection, for example, is a commonly used method to achieve water disinfection, with sanitary engineers using the concept of "chlorine demand" to assess and address water quality factors that influence its effectiveness. Additionally, integrated measures that target multiple routes of transmission for diarrhoeal diseases have been advocated, as they increase the chances of successfully reducing disease transmission.
The impact of waterborne pathogens disproportionately affects low-income communities, as their homes are often closest to the most polluting industries. However, it is important to note that the burden of disease from water pollution is also higher in countries experiencing rapid economic expansion, typically in the early stages of industrial development.
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Diarrhea and other diseases
Water pollution is a severe issue that affects many countries, with hundreds of millions of people exposed to contaminated or chemically polluted drinking water. This is often due to the inadequate management of urban, industrial, and agricultural wastewater, which ends up contaminating water sources. The natural presence of chemicals in groundwater, such as arsenic and fluoride, can also pose health risks. Additionally, chemicals like lead may be present in drinking water due to leaching from water supply components.
Diarrhea is the most widely recognized disease linked to contaminated water. It is caused by the ingestion of viruses, bacteria, and parasites present in water contaminated by human or agricultural fecal waste. Poor water quality has been associated with an increased risk of diarrhea, and interventions to improve water quality have consistently led to a reduction in diarrheal disease incidence. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation, and inadequate hand hygiene contribute to approximately 1 million deaths from diarrhea each year. Additionally, 395,000 deaths of children under five years of age could be prevented by addressing these risk factors.
Waterborne pathogens, including disease-causing bacteria and viruses from human and animal waste, are a significant concern. These pathogens can lead to various illnesses, with an estimated 1 billion people falling sick annually from unsafe water. Apart from diarrhea, contaminated drinking water can transmit other diseases such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and polio. Cholera, in particular, is a life-threatening form of traveler's diarrhea, often contracted when visitors from countries with good sanitation travel to regions with poor sanitation and hygiene.
The impact of water pollution disproportionately affects poor and low-income communities, as their homes are often located near polluting industries. Additionally, in areas with limited access to clean water, handwashing may not be prioritized, further increasing the risk of diarrhea and other diseases. Safe and readily available water is crucial for public health, and improving water supply, sanitation, and resource management can contribute significantly to poverty reduction and economic growth.
While the specific impact of water pollution on diarrhea and other diseases is challenging to pinpoint due to the multitude of infectious agents and transmission routes, the evidence suggests a significant association between poor water quality and adverse health outcomes. The presence of E. coli in drinking water, for example, has been linked to an increased risk of diarrhea. Therefore, ensuring safe drinking water and improving sanitation and hygiene practices are essential to prevent waterborne diseases and reduce the global burden of illness and death associated with water pollution.
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Water scarcity
The primary consequences of water scarcity are the inability to access safe water for drinking, hygiene, and agriculture. Inadequate sanitation, affecting 2.4 billion people, leads to exposure to deadly diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, and other waterborne illnesses. Diarrheal diseases alone claim the lives of approximately 2 million people each year, mostly children. The lack of water also impacts food production, contributing to economic decline and poverty.
Climate change plays a significant role in water scarcity, altering weather patterns and water availability worldwide. As carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere, droughts and floods become more frequent and intense in different regions. Agriculture, which consumes 70% of the world's accessible freshwater, faces the challenge of decreasing water availability for irrigation, leading to stressed water systems, drying rivers, lakes, and aquifers.
Water pollution exacerbates the problem of water scarcity. Sources of water pollution include pesticides and fertilizers from farms, untreated human wastewater, and industrial waste. These contaminants can render water unfit for drinking or swimming, leading to health issues. Additionally, natural chemicals in groundwater, such as arsenic and fluoride, can pose health risks, and human-made chemicals like lead can leach into drinking water through water supply components.
Addressing water scarcity requires a multi-faceted approach. Improving water supply and sanitation infrastructure, as well as better managing water resources, can boost economic growth and reduce poverty. Organizations like UNICEF and Water.org work to increase access to safe water through various initiatives. These include identifying new water sources, improving distribution networks, promoting wastewater reuse, and developing climate-resilient water sources.
In conclusion, water scarcity is a pressing issue that impacts billions of people, leading to inadequate access to safe water for drinking, hygiene, and agriculture. The consequences include health risks from waterborne diseases, economic decline, and social impacts, particularly on women and children. Climate change and human activities are key drivers of water scarcity, and addressing them is crucial to mitigate the effects of this global crisis.
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Industrial and agricultural activities
Industrial activities often involve the discharge of pollutants into water bodies. These pollutants can include toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and other hazardous substances. For example, factories may release untreated or poorly treated wastewater containing
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Solid waste disposal
Recycling: Recycling is a crucial aspect of solid waste disposal. By converting waste into new usable products through industrial processing, we can reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and mitigate the environmental impact of waste disposal. Commonly recycled materials include aluminium, glass, paper, and plastic. Recycling rates vary significantly across countries, and there is room for improvement worldwide.
Separation and Bins: To facilitate recycling, it is essential to separate recyclable from non-recyclable waste. Using multiple colour-coded and labelled bins in your home, especially in the kitchen, makes it easier to sort waste. This practice also reduces the time and effort required in separating waste later.
Composting: Composting is an effective method for disposing of organic waste, such as cooking waste (vegetable and fruit scraps). Creating a compost pit in your backyard or using a worm compost bin allows organic waste to decompose naturally. The resulting compost can then be used as a natural fertiliser for your garden.
Hazardous Waste: Large items, such as household appliances, furniture, and green waste, should be taken to designated disposal sites or tips. Burning waste can be harmful to the environment if not done properly. When done correctly by rubbish removal services, special liners are used to prevent the release of toxic chemicals and pollution.
Waste Management Services: Contacting local waste management services or waste removal companies is essential for the proper disposal of certain types of waste. These companies ensure that your items are safely recycled or converted into energy. This is especially important for hazardous or electronic waste.
Reducing Waste: One of the most effective ways to manage solid waste is to reduce waste generation in the first place. This can be achieved by using second-hand items, repairing and reusing existing products, and being mindful of unnecessary purchases. This conscious decision-making at the personal and professional levels can help curb the menacing growth of waste.
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Frequently asked questions
Water pollution was linked to 1.8 million deaths in 2015, according to a study published in The Lancet. Unsafe water kills more people each year than war and all other forms of violence combined.
More than 50 kinds of diseases are caused by poor drinking water quality, and 80% of diseases and 50% of child deaths are related to poor drinking water quality. Waterborne pathogens, in the form of disease-causing bacteria and viruses from human and animal waste, are a major cause. Diarrhoea is the most common disease caused by water pollution, with an estimated 1 million people dying each year from the disease.
The effects of water pollution disproportionately affect poor and low-income communities, as they are more exposed to toxic chemicals in water sources near their homes or work. Diarrhoeal diseases account for 21% of annual deaths among children under 5 years of age in developing countries.
The major sources of water pollution are human settlements, and industrial and agricultural activities. Contaminants such as chemicals, nutrients, and heavy metals are carried from farms, factories, and cities by streams and rivers into our bays and estuaries. Marine debris, especially plastic, is another significant source of water pollution.
The United Nations aims to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030. This goal is part of the Sustainable Development Goals, aiming to improve human health and reduce gender inequality. Increased access to safe water can also aid in education, as reduced distance to a water source increases school attendance, especially for girls.
