Contaminated Water: A Deadly Threat To Children's Lives

Water pollution is a pressing issue that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1.7 million children under the age of five die each year due to polluted environments, including contaminated water. This accounts for more than a quarter of child deaths in this age group. Unsafe drinking water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene contribute to various health issues, such as diarrheal diseases, respiratory infections, and other preventable illnesses. The lack of access to safe water also disproportionately impacts girls and women, exposing them to risks of sexual violence and creating challenges with menstrual hygiene and education. While some regions have made progress in providing safe water access, hundreds of millions of people still rely on contaminated water sources, highlighting the urgent need for pollution mitigation and improved water management.

Diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases

Diarrhoea is a leading cause of child mortality and morbidity globally, with nearly 1.7 billion cases of childhood diarrhoeal disease occurring every year. It is the third leading cause of death in children under 5 years old and is responsible for the deaths of around 443,832 children annually. Diarrhoea can last for several days, causing severe dehydration and fluid loss, which were historically the primary causes of diarrhoea-related fatalities. However, septic bacterial infections are now likely responsible for a growing proportion of such deaths.

Children with malnutrition or compromised immune systems, as well as those living with HIV, are particularly vulnerable to life-threatening diarrhoea. Diarrhoea is defined as the passage of three or more loose or liquid stools per day, or more frequently than is typical for the individual. Each diarrhoeal episode deprives the child of the nutrition necessary for growth, making them more susceptible to diarrhoea and exacerbating their malnutrition. Diarrhoea is highly contagious and can spread through person-to-person contact, poor personal hygiene, and contaminated food and water sources.

Unsafe water is a significant contributor to diarrhoea, with water contaminated by human and animal faeces being of particular concern. Inadequate domestic water storage and handling, as well as consuming fish and seafood from polluted water, can also increase the risk of diarrhoeal disease. Children in households without access to safe water and sanitation are at higher risk of contracting diarrhoea and other waterborne illnesses like pneumonia.

According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), a lack of safe water is deadlier for children than war in numerous conflict-affected countries. Their study revealed that children under five are, on average, more than 20 times more likely to die from illnesses linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation than from conflict. Annually, 85,700 children under the age of 15 die from diarrhoea attributed to unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, compared to 30,900 from conflict.

Inadequate sanitation

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1 in 4 deaths of children under 5 are attributable to unhealthy environments, with 1.7 million children dying annually from environmental risks. These risks include indoor and outdoor air pollution, second-hand smoke, unsafe water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene.

Open defecation is a significant issue, perpetuating a cycle of disease and poverty. Countries with high rates of open defecation also have the highest number of child deaths, malnutrition, and poverty rates. Additionally, inadequate sanitation contributes to the spread of intestinal worms, schistosomiasis, and trachoma, which cause suffering for millions.

The lack of safe water and proper sanitation facilities also disproportionately affects girls and women. In many parts of the world, they are responsible for collecting water, which puts them at risk of sexual violence and interrupts their education due to missed lessons during menstruation.

The United Nations (UN) recognizes the importance of safe water and sanitation, with UN-Water coordinating freshwater-related issues, including sanitation. The UN aims to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030, addressing both health and gender inequality concerns.

In summary, inadequate sanitation is a critical issue that contributes to the deaths of children worldwide, especially those under five. Diarrhoeal disease is a significant consequence of inadequate sanitation, but other diseases and infections are also spread due to poor sanitation practices. The impact of inadequate sanitation falls disproportionately on girls and women, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue to save lives and promote gender equality.

Poor hygiene

Children are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of contaminated water due to their developing organs, immature immune systems, and smaller bodies. Poor hygiene practices, such as inadequate handwashing or lack of access to basic sanitation facilities, increase the risk of waterborne diseases. Diarrhoeal diseases, caused by contaminated water, are a leading cause of death among children, with an estimated 85,700 children under the age of 15 dying annually from diarrhoea linked to unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene issues.

In areas with limited access to safe water and sanitation, poor hygiene practices further exacerbate the problem. Children in these regions are at a higher risk of contracting preventable waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and polio. They are also more susceptible to acute respiratory infections due to exposure to contaminated water and poor hygiene.

The lack of safe water and sanitation facilities also impacts children's education and development. Girls, in particular, face challenges in managing menstrual hygiene and often miss school during menstruation due to inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure. This contributes to long-term disadvantages and gender inequality.

Improving access to safe water, sanitation, and promoting better hygiene practices are crucial to reducing child mortality and improving overall health and well-being. According to a WHO report, improving water, sanitation, and hygiene can save up to 1.4 million lives annually. This includes providing access to clean drinking water, ensuring proper waste management, and educating communities about the importance of hygiene practices such as handwashing and sanitation.

Stagnant water and mosquitoes

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1.7 million children under the age of five die annually due to environmental risks, including unsafe water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene. UNICEF also reports that unsafe water claims the lives of 85,700 children under the age of 15 each year, a figure that surpasses deaths caused by conflict.

Stagnant water, a significant contributor to water-related illnesses, provides an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes. Adult female mosquitoes seek stagnant water to lay their eggs, and even a small amount of water can attract them. Ponds, water features, and decorative accents in yards can be breeding grounds for mosquitoes, leading to concerns about mosquito-borne diseases.

To address this issue, it is crucial to prevent mosquito breeding by eliminating stagnant water sources. This can be achieved through regular cleaning and maintenance, ensuring no water accumulation occurs. Covering containers with wire mesh and properly sealing water tanks can also deter mosquitoes. Additionally, creating water features deeper than two feet makes it challenging for mosquito larvae to surface for air, disrupting their life cycle.

Another effective method is water circulation, which increases surface tension and prevents larvae from breathing, causing them to perish before maturing into mosquitoes. This can be accomplished through various means, such as using pumps or aerators, promoting a natural mosquito-deterrent environment.

By implementing these measures, we can reduce the presence of mosquitoes and decrease the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses, contributing to a healthier environment for children and communities alike.

Water scarcity

Economic water scarcity, the most common form, occurs when regions have sufficient water resources but lack the infrastructure or means to provide it to the population in an accessible manner. This issue is prevalent in developing countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where investments in water retention and irrigation infrastructure are crucial for poverty reduction and increased food production. Additionally, inadequate sanitation affects 2.4 billion people, exposing them to deadly diarrheal diseases, cholera, typhoid fever, and other waterborne illnesses.

To address water scarcity, organizations like UNICEF and WWF are taking proactive measures. UNICEF focuses on identifying new water resources, improving water efficiency, planning for urban scarcity, expanding climate-resilient water sources, and promoting water conservation through educational initiatives. WWF aims to protect and restore water systems, reduce water pollution, and ensure sustainable water use in agriculture. These efforts are aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, which include achieving universal access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030.

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