Water Pollution: These Countries Have The Dirtiest Water Supplies

Water pollution is a pressing issue that affects populations worldwide. While some countries are more responsible for contaminating water supplies, it is the most vulnerable populations that are most affected. Globally, hundreds of millions of people lack access to clean water, and their families pay the price. Waterborne diseases, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene practices are common issues in regions with limited access to clean water. This problem is particularly prevalent in developing countries and the poorest parts of the population, who often source water directly from polluted watercourses for drinking and cooking. While access to safely managed drinking water is improving, with 5.8 billion people worldwide having access in 2022, there are still 2.2 billion people without safe and easy access.

Waterborne diseases and health issues

The lack of access to clean water has direct health consequences. Water-related diseases, such as bacterial diarrhea, typhoid fever, and schistosomiasis, are common in areas with unsafe water and poor sanitation. Schistosomiasis, for example, is a disease caused by parasitic worms contracted through water, and it affects millions of people worldwide. Diarrhea is another widely known waterborne disease, causing approximately 505,000 deaths each year, many of which are preventable with proper sanitation and hygiene practices. Inadequate management of wastewater from agricultural, industrial, and urban activities further contaminates drinking water sources, exposing individuals to preventable health risks.

The impact of waterborne diseases goes beyond physical health. Children, in particular, are at risk from water-related diseases, and their education can suffer due to frequent school absences. Additionally, the time and effort required to collect water can hinder economic productivity and personal safety, as individuals, often mothers, have to spend significant time retrieving water instead of pursuing income-generating activities. This cycle perpetuates poverty and makes it challenging to escape the grasp of waterborne diseases and health issues.

Furthermore, polluted rivers can have far-reaching consequences. The Sarno River in Bangladesh, for instance, has seen a rise in waterborne diseases, cancer cases, and birth defects due to industrial and agricultural waste. Similarly, the Yangtze River in China has experienced increased pollution from rapid industrialization, leading to harmful algal growth and the decline of aquatic life. These issues underscore the urgent need for improved water supply, sanitation, and waste treatment to protect both human health and the environment.

While access to clean water is a human right recognized by the UN General Assembly, the reality is that many countries and communities continue to struggle with polluted water and its associated health issues. It is crucial to address these challenges through sustainable water management practices, infrastructure development, and hygiene education to ensure that everyone has access to this basic necessity.

Poor sanitation and hygiene

Water accessibility is improving globally, but as of 2022, 2.2 billion people still lacked access to safely managed drinking water, and 3.5 billion people lacked safely managed sanitation services. UNICEF defines drinking water as "safely managed" when it is free from contamination and available on-site when needed. However, water pollution, scarcity, and poor sanitation continue to pose significant challenges to human health and the environment in many countries.

In low- and middle-income countries, diarrhoeal diseases are prevalent due to inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene. Poor sanitation and hygiene also impact the nutritional status of children, leading to stunting and chronic diseases. Additionally, limited access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services exposes individuals to health risks from chemicals and other contaminants in drinking water, causing adverse health outcomes such as acute respiratory infections, soil-transmitted helminthiases, and undernutrition.

The lack of basic hygiene services affects 2 billion people globally, and 653 million lack even the most basic handwashing facilities. This is particularly concerning in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, as handwashing is a critical prevention measure. Furthermore, poor waste treatment control, such as in the case of the Sarno River, contributes to increased water pollution and subsequent health risks for the surrounding communities.

To address these issues, investments in infrastructure, sanitation facilities, and hygiene education are crucial. Organizations like World Vision are working to improve access to clean water and promote hygiene behavior change in countries like Papua New Guinea, where limited access to water and sanitation contributes to health problems in rural populations. Additionally, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals aim to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water and adequate sanitation and hygiene for all by 2030.

Industrial and agricultural waste

Industrial and agricultural activities are significant contributors to water pollution, which affects both surface water and groundwater.

Industrial Waste

Industries release pollutants into water bodies, including total organic carbon (TOC), nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals such as copper, zinc, cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic. These emissions can have detrimental effects on human health and the environment, causing eutrophication and degrading water quality. While Europe has seen a decline in industrial releases of pollutants into water bodies between 2010 and 2022, the economic value of its industries increased by 20% during the same period, indicating a need to balance industrial growth with emission reduction.

Agricultural Waste

Agriculture is the largest user of freshwater globally, and it contributes to water pollution through chemical runoff, erosion, and inefficient water use. The use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and veterinary medicines contaminates water sources, leading to eutrophication and ecosystem damage. In semi-arid areas, livestock wastes can contaminate water sources, and in villages or towns, domestic excreta can be a significant source of pollution. The intensive farming of crops and livestock has led to unsustainable agricultural intensification and water-quality degradation.

Country Examples

The United States, for instance, faces significant water pollution from industrial agriculture, with 46% of its rivers and streams in poor biological condition and 21% of its lakes hypereutrophic due to high nutrient levels. In California, one million residents, mainly in farming communities, have dangerous levels of unregulated chemicals linked to cancer in their drinking water. Similarly, in India and Africa, surveys reveal that 20-50% of wells contain nitrate levels above the acceptable limits, indicating contamination.

Sewage and waste management

Wastewater, when properly treated, can be a valuable source of water and nutrients for crops, enhancing water and food security. However, inadequate waste treatment remains a persistent issue in both developing and developed nations. Antiquated sewage treatment systems, such as combined sewage overflows (CSOs), are susceptible to rainfall, leading to the bypass of sewage treatment plants and the discharge of raw sewage into water bodies. This issue is prevalent in the United States, the European Union, and Great Britain, posing a costly challenge for municipalities.

In developing countries, the lack of wastewater treatment facilities or insufficient infrastructure can lead to unregulated disposal of human waste and contaminated water sources. For example, in Saint Lucia, only 13% of the population is connected to the sewage system, resulting in standing pools of contaminated water that pose health risks during severe weather conditions. Similarly, in Papua New Guinea, the rural population struggles with a lack of clean water and sanitation, and limited understanding of basic hygiene practices.

To address these issues, innovative solutions and mindset changes are necessary. Seeing sewage and wastewater as resources rather than solely pollutants is key to achieving a sustainable "circular economy." This includes increasing the treatment, recycling, and safe reuse of wastewater, reducing contamination of ecosystems, and promoting better hygiene practices. Additionally, implementing regulations and guidelines for sewage discharges, such as the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78), is crucial for controlling marine pollution.

Overall, improving sewage and waste management practices is essential to ensuring safe and sustainable water supplies for a growing global population. By reducing pollution, treating wastewater effectively, and promoting circular economy principles, we can enhance public health, environmental sustainability, and economic development.

Access to clean water

Water accessibility is improving worldwide, but billions of people still lack easy access to clean drinking water. UNICEF estimates that in 2022, 5.8 billion people had access to safely managed drinking water, while 2.2 billion people did not. The proportion of the world's population using safely managed water services increased from 69% in 2015 to 73% in 2022. However, this issue disproportionately affects certain regions and countries.

In Western Europe and North America, over 97% of people have access to safe water. In contrast, over half of the people without basic access in 2022 lived in sub-Saharan Africa, where less than a third of the population has safely managed drinking water. Niger, the largest country in West Africa, is among the worst for access to clean water. Over 40% of Niger's population lives on less than $2.15 per day, and they struggle with water shortages and frequent droughts.

Papua New Guinea, with its scattered rural communities across 600 Asia Pacific islands, also faces significant challenges. Islanders often lack clean water and sanitation and have limited understanding of basic hygiene practices. The country is prone to natural disasters like cyclones and flooding, which further damage infrastructure and crops.

Somalia, Eritrea, and other countries in Africa are also highly vulnerable to water pollution. The ongoing conflict in Somalia has displaced millions, exacerbating issues such as insufficient sanitation infrastructure and poor hygiene awareness. In Eritrea, the absence of a sewage system in much of the eastern region allows human and animal waste to contaminate water supplies, posing grave health risks.

Water pollution is a global issue, and even regions with economic clout, such as North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, are not exempt. The Río Grande in the United States faces declining volumes due to water extraction and pollution from industrial tipping. The Yangtze River in China, a basin stretching over a fifth of the country's land area, is one of the most polluted bodies of water due to industrial wastewater and agricultural chemical fertilizer. India's Ganges River, a sacred site for locals, is heavily polluted by urban sewage, animal waste, pesticides, fertilizers, and ashes from cremated bodies.

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