Drinking Polluted Water: Why Do People Risk Their Health?

Water is essential for human survival, but unfortunately, not everyone has access to clean drinking water. In 2022, 1.7 billion people used drinking water sources contaminated with faeces, bacteria, and chemicals. This is a result of human activities such as improper waste disposal and industrial production, as well as natural factors like the natural presence of chemicals in groundwater. The consumption of polluted water can lead to severe health issues, including gastrointestinal illnesses, skin diseases, malnutrition, cancer, and even death. Therefore, understanding the causes and impacts of water pollution is crucial to ensure access to safe drinking water and improve public health, especially in vulnerable communities.

Water pollution kills and causes illness

Water pollution is a matter of life and death. It is a significant cause of childhood diseases and kills 940,000 children worldwide every year, two-thirds of whom are under the age of five. In 2015, water pollution caused 1.8 million deaths, according to a study published in The Lancet.

Waterborne pathogens, in the form of disease-causing bacteria and viruses from human and animal waste, are a major cause of illness from contaminated drinking water. Diseases spread by unsafe water include cholera, giardia, typhoid, hepatitis, and Legionnaires' disease. Even in wealthy nations, accidental or illegal releases from sewage treatment facilities, as well as runoff from farms and urban areas, contribute harmful pathogens to waterways.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 2 billion people have no option but to drink water contaminated by excrement, exposing them to diseases such as cholera, hepatitis A, and dysentery. Unsafe drinking water and poor environmental hygiene can lead to gastrointestinal illness, inhibiting nutrient absorption and malnutrition. Diarrhoea is a common symptom of gastrointestinal diseases and is the most common disease caused by water pollution. It is a leading cause of illness and death in young children in low-income countries.

Natural and human factors cause water pollution

Water is an essential resource for human health, whether for drinking, domestic use, food production, or recreational purposes. However, the quality of drinking water is often compromised due to various natural and human factors, leading to severe health issues and even deaths.

Natural factors that influence water quality include geological processes, natural disasters, climate change, and hyporheic exchange. For instance, the natural geology and soils in certain regions contain high levels of phosphorus and arsenic, which can contaminate water sources and pose risks to human and ecosystem health. Additionally, natural processes such as rock weathering, evapotranspiration, wind depositions, leaching from soil, and biological processes in aquatic environments can alter the chemical composition of water, affecting its pH, alkalinity, and nutrient content.

Human activities have a significant impact on water quality. Agricultural practices, including the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and poor animal husbandry techniques, can contaminate water sources through runoff or seepage into groundwater. Industrial activities contribute to water pollution by releasing chemicals, waste, and other pollutants into rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and seas. Inefficient wastewater management in urban areas further exacerbates the problem, with sewage and septic systems carrying harmful microbes and contaminants into drinking water sources. Climate change, population growth, and urbanization also play a role in degrading water quality.

The consequences of consuming polluted water can be dire. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80% of the world's diseases and 50% of child deaths are linked to poor drinking water quality. Waterborne diseases, such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis, are prevalent in regions with unsafe water supplies. Additionally, exposure to contaminated water can lead to skin diseases, cancer, kidney failure, and other severe health issues.

Unsafe drinking water is a significant issue, with an estimated 1.7 billion people using a drinking water source contaminated with feces. This contamination poses the greatest risk to drinking water safety and can be attributed to inadequate management of wastewater in industrial, agricultural, and urban settings.

Pollutants include chemicals, waste, plastic, and other harmful substances

Pollutants in water include chemicals, waste, plastic, and other harmful substances. Water pollution is caused by the release of these substances into bodies of water, making the water unsafe for human use and disrupting aquatic ecosystems. These pollutants can come from various sources, including industrial, agricultural, and municipal activities.

Chemicals are a significant contributor to water pollution. They can be released into water bodies through industrial and agricultural activities, as well as through the improper disposal of chemicals and the use of pesticides and fertilizers. For example, organic solvents, petroleum products, and heavy metals from disposal sites or storage facilities can contaminate water sources. In addition, the natural presence of certain chemicals, such as arsenic and fluoride, can also pose health risks.

Waste is another major pollutant in water. Human and animal waste from sewage and septic systems can introduce harmful microbes and pathogens into water sources. Diseases caused by unsafe water include cholera, giardia, typhoid, and hepatitis. Additionally, waste from industrial and agricultural activities can contain toxic chemicals and pollutants that further contaminate water.

Plastic pollution, particularly in the form of microplastics, has become an increasingly significant issue. Microplastics can be ingested by marine wildlife and accumulate in their bodies through the food chain, eventually reaching humans who consume seafood. This can have potential health impacts that are not yet fully understood.

Other harmful substances in water can include radionuclides, which are naturally occurring but can also be introduced through human activities. Nutrient pollution, caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus, can also lead to algal blooms that are harmful to both people and wildlife.

The release of these pollutants into water sources can have devastating consequences for human health and the environment. It is essential to address water pollution through improved wastewater management, treatment processes, and the reduction of contaminant sources to ensure safe and accessible drinking water for all.

Water pollution disproportionately affects low-income communities

Water pollution is a global issue that disproportionately affects low-income communities. While water is a basic human right, recognised by the United Nations in 2010, unsafe drinking water is a significant problem, with 1.7 billion people using a drinking water source contaminated with faeces. This contamination carries waterborne diseases, which are a major cause of illness and death.

Low-income communities are at a greater risk of waterborne illnesses due to their proximity to polluting industries. These communities often live closest to the most polluting industries, which contaminate water sources with chemicals, waste, and other harmful substances. Inadequate management of industrial and agricultural wastewater further exacerbates the problem, leading to dangerous levels of contamination in drinking water.

Additionally, water treatment and distribution systems can sometimes fail to remove all contaminants, leaving behind harmful byproducts such as trihalomethanes. This is particularly prevalent in low-income communities, where ageing infrastructure and limited resources can lead to breaches in piping systems and corrosion of plumbing materials. As a result, contaminants such as lead and copper can leach into the water supply, posing significant health risks.

The impact of water pollution on low-income communities is further compounded by limited access to safe and sufficient water. In some cases, entire communities lack access to clean water and sanitation, forcing them to rely on polluted water sources for their basic needs. This lack of access can be due to various factors, including inadequate infrastructure, unaffordable housing, and systemic racial and socioeconomic disparities. For example, Native American households are 19 times more likely than white households to have inadequate plumbing, while African American and Latinx households face similar challenges at nearly twice the rate of white households.

Furthermore, private well owners, often found in rural and low-income areas, are not always required to test for contaminants, leading to undetected pollution. A review by VanDerslice summarised case studies of minority and low-income communities reliant on contaminated private wells, highlighting the impaired water quality in these areas.

Overall, water pollution disproportionately affects low-income communities due to their proximity to polluting industries, inadequate wastewater management, failures in treatment and distribution systems, limited access to safe and sufficient water, and systemic racial and socioeconomic disparities. Addressing these issues is crucial to ensuring that all communities have access to clean and safe water, as stipulated by international law.

Safe and readily available water is important for public health

Safe and readily available water is of paramount importance for public health. Firstly, water is essential for survival, and dehydration can be dangerous. However, when water is contaminated, it can cause severe harm to human health. Waterborne pathogens, in the form of disease-causing bacteria and viruses from human and animal waste, are a major cause of illness from contaminated drinking water. Diseases spread by unsafe water include cholera, giardia, hepatitis, dysentery, typhoid, and polio. In 2022, 1.7 billion people used a drinking water source contaminated with faeces, and unsafe water is estimated to cause the deaths of 829,000 people each year from diarrhoea alone.

Water can become contaminated in numerous ways, and therefore it is important to treat and monitor drinking water to protect consumers from harmful pollutants and pathogens. Public water systems generally provide treated water that has been disinfected to remove many contaminants. However, private wells may not receive the same treatment services, and well owners are responsible for protecting their drinking water. Contamination can occur naturally, for example, through high levels of certain contaminants in local underground conditions, or as a result of human activity. Human activities that can cause water pollution include improper disposal of solid waste, sand, and gravel, as well as urbanization, population growth, industrial production, and climate change.

Agricultural practices are a significant source of water contamination. The use of pesticides and fertilizers can result in chemical pollution of water sources, and animal waste can introduce harmful bacteria and viruses. Industrial activities can also lead to water pollution, with organic chemicals, heavy metals, and other toxic substances being released into water bodies. Even in cases where water treatment is available, the treatment process itself can leave behind harmful byproducts, such as trihalomethanes.

The availability of safe water is crucial for maintaining proper hygiene practices, which further contributes to public health. Where water is not readily available, people may be less inclined to prioritize handwashing, increasing the risk of diarrhoeal diseases, acute respiratory infections, and other illnesses. Therefore, access to safe and sufficient water is essential for preventing the spread of diseases and promoting overall public health.

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