Water Pollution: A Global Crisis And Challenge

Water is an essential resource for all living beings, and access to clean water is a basic human need. However, water pollution has become a pressing international problem, with far-reaching consequences for human health, the environment, and the global economy. The issue of water pollution is not limited to a single country or region but affects people worldwide, with an estimated 1 in 3 people on the planet impacted by this crisis. The contamination of water sources by chemicals, waste, plastic, and other pollutants has led to a situation where many communities struggle to access safe drinking water and face health risks associated with inadequate sanitation. As an international problem, water pollution requires global cooperation and cohesive actions to address the challenges and protect this vital resource for current and future generations.

Water scarcity and international cooperation

Water scarcity is a pressing issue that affects billions of people worldwide. While water covers 70% of the Earth's surface, only 3% is freshwater, with two-thirds of that amount being unavailable for human use. This limited resource is under increasing pressure from a growing global population, climate change, and pollution. As a result, water scarcity has become a significant challenge that requires international cooperation to address effectively.

The global water crisis is characterised by a lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities for many communities. In 2022, an estimated 703 million people lacked access to clean water, a decrease from 1.1 billion in 2000. However, this progress is overshadowed by the fact that 2.7 billion people experience water scarcity for at least one month of the year. This situation has severe consequences for health, hygiene, and economic development. Diarrhoeal diseases alone claim the lives of two million people annually, mostly children, and inadequate sanitation exposes individuals to cholera, typhoid fever, and other waterborne illnesses.

Pollution is a critical aspect of the water scarcity issue. Human activities, such as industrial waste and agricultural runoff, release chemicals, plastics, and other pollutants into water sources, rendering them unusable and toxic. The United Nations (UN) estimates that more than 80% of the world's sewage reaches rivers and seas without treatment, and ocean acidification caused by carbon pollution is making it harder for shellfish and coral to survive. Climate change further exacerbates water scarcity, causing droughts and altering weather patterns, which impact water availability.

To address water scarcity and pollution, international cooperation is essential. Organisations like the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) work with governments, businesses, and local communities to promote sustainable water use and protect vital wetlands. The Ramsar Convention, an international treaty, has designated over 2,000 wetlands as Wetlands of International Importance, ensuring their protection from development and pollution. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) leads global efforts to prevent water-related diseases and advises governments on developing health-based targets and regulations for water quality.

Enhancing water stewardship and conservation practices is crucial. Initiatives such as the Alliance for Water Stewardship aim to establish international standards, and the Water Footprint Network provides tools for understanding and reducing water use. Local projects conducted by organisations like WWF measure water use and demonstrate solutions for reducing river basin impacts. By working together across borders and sectors, we can address water scarcity and pollution, ensuring that communities worldwide have access to this essential resource for health, sanitation, and economic development.

Health risks and water-borne diseases

Water pollution is a global issue that affects millions of people. Inadequate access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services exposes individuals to preventable health risks and a multitude of illnesses. Contaminated water is a significant contributor to the transmission of diseases, with diarrhoea being the most well-known waterborne disease.

Health Risks and Waterborne Diseases

Waterborne diseases are illnesses transmitted by ingesting contaminated water. These diseases pose a significant threat to public health worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Diarrhoea, caused by bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections, is the most prevalent waterborne disease, affecting individuals worldwide and causing high mortality rates, especially in children. The lack of safe drinking water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hand hygiene contribute to the spread of diarrhoeal diseases, which can be life-threatening due to fluid loss, especially in vulnerable populations such as infants, young children, and people with impaired immunity.

Other waterborne diseases include cholera, dysentery, typhoid fever, shigella, hepatitis A and E, and poliomyelitis. These diseases can cause severe gastrointestinal infections, leading to frequent loose or liquid stools, and in some cases, blood in the stools. The impact of repeated or persistent diarrhoea can be linked to malnutrition, making individuals more susceptible to other infections such as malaria and measles.

Unsafe drinking water can also be contaminated with chemicals, including natural occurrences of arsenic, fluoride, and lead. These contaminants pose significant health risks, such as cancer, hormone disruption, and altered brain function. Additionally, inadequate management of urban, industrial, and agricultural wastewater leads to chemically polluted drinking water for millions of people.

Water pollution and scarcity are closely linked to inadequate water management. Inefficient and ineffective water management practices can lead to water stress, with rivers, lakes, and aquifers drying up or becoming too polluted to use. This, in turn, affects both ecosystems and human populations, resulting in food shortages, increased infant mortality, and decreased life expectancy.

Access to improved water sources is essential to mitigating water-related health risks. By providing better water sources, individuals spend less time collecting water, improving personal safety and reducing musculoskeletal disorders associated with water retrieval. Additionally, improved water sources reduce health expenditures by decreasing the likelihood of waterborne illnesses and their associated medical costs.

Climate change and water quality

Water pollution is an international problem that affects people and ecosystems alike. Climate change is a significant contributing factor to this issue, impacting water demand, groundwater withdrawals, and aquifer recharge, ultimately reducing groundwater availability.

Climate change is expected to significantly increase water demand across regions. The rising temperatures and potential evapotranspiration will lead to more frequent and intense heavy downpours, resulting in increased flooding and pollution in waterways. These changes in precipitation patterns will also impact the timing and volume of runoff, affecting water quality. More intense rainfall will increase surface runoff, carrying pollutants, dirt, and other contaminants into nearby water bodies, making it more challenging and costly to treat water to drinking standards.

The quality of drinking water sources may be further compromised by increased sediment, nutrient inputs, and contaminant concentrations after extreme weather events. Climate change-induced droughts will also impact water quality, leading to lower and more persistent low flows, which can worsen water quality issues.

The effects of climate change on water quality are already being observed in many parts of the world, particularly in regions with aging water infrastructure that is unable to cope with the increased stress. The southern United States, the Caribbean, and Pacific islands are especially vulnerable to water shortages and declining water quality due to the combined effects of climate change and increasing water demand.

The impact of climate change on water quality is not limited to surface water. Groundwater quality is also at risk due to reduced recharge rates and increased withdrawals, leading to declining groundwater availability in some areas. This affects not just human populations but also ecosystems that depend on freshwater sources, such as rivers, lakes, and wetlands, which are drying up or becoming too polluted for use.

To address these challenges, it is crucial to implement effective water management strategies and improve overall water resource management. This includes developing targeted watershed management plans, promoting sustainable water use, and adopting conservation measures to protect vital water sources.

Industrial and agricultural pollution

Water pollution is a global issue, with far-reaching consequences. Industrial and agricultural pollution are key contributors to this problem, and their impacts are felt across the world.

Industrial Pollution

Industrial pollution is a significant concern, with dangerous chemicals contaminating water sources. The presence of heavy metals, such as arsenic, mercury, and lead, poses severe health risks to those who ingest them. These toxins can lead to cancer, hormone disruption, and altered brain function, with children and pregnant women being especially vulnerable. Inadequate management of industrial wastewater has resulted in dangerously contaminated drinking water for millions of people worldwide.

Agricultural Pollution

Agricultural pollution, including industrial agricultural practices, is a leading cause of water pollution in many countries. The use of pesticides, fertilizers, and manure in agriculture contributes to water contamination. High levels of nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, from synthetic fertilizers and animal waste, degrade water quality and threaten aquatic life and their habitats. Pollution via nutrient runoff, known as agricultural nonpoint source pollution, is the leading source of harm to water quality for rivers and streams, and it significantly impacts lakes, wetlands, and oceans.

The expansion of irrigation practices and the increasing number of livestock have intensified agricultural pollution. Livestock production accounts for a substantial proportion of agricultural land and global land surface, and aquaculture has seen remarkable growth, particularly in Asia. The excessive use of antibiotics, fungicides, and anti-fouling agents in aquaculture contributes to polluting downstream ecosystems. Additionally, veterinary medicines from farms are a relatively new source of water pollution, impacting ecosystems and drinking water sources.

Impact on Health and the Environment

Water pollution from industrial and agricultural sources has severe consequences for both human health and the environment. Microbiologically contaminated drinking water transmits diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid, leading to millions of deaths each year, especially among children. Additionally, the presence of toxins in water sources poses risks to those who come into direct contact or ingest them, such as rural residents and farmworkers. The overuse of pesticides has also led to the decline of pollinator populations, such as bees and butterflies.

Water sanitation and hygiene practices

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines polluted water as water whose composition has been altered to the extent that it becomes unusable. This means that the water is not only unfit for consumption but also for essential purposes like agriculture. Polluted water is a significant concern as it causes diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and poliomyelitis, leading to millions of deaths worldwide, especially among children.

Inadequate management of urban, industrial, and agricultural wastewater is a primary contributor to water pollution. This includes the discharge of untreated sewage, chemical dumping, and the use of pesticides and fertilizers, which eventually find their way into our water sources. Climate change further exacerbates the problem, causing fluctuations in rainwater availability and altering weather patterns, resulting in water shortages and droughts in some areas.

To address water pollution and improve water sanitation, it is crucial to implement effective wastewater treatment processes. This involves treating household and industrial wastewater before releasing it back into the environment. Additionally, promoting sustainable agricultural practices can help reduce the use of pesticides and fertilizers that contaminate water sources.

At the individual level, education and awareness about water sanitation and hygiene practices are vital. This includes understanding the unique characteristics of the local water sources, such as the treatment of wastewater and the identification of potential pollution sources. By empowering individuals and communities with this knowledge, they can make informed decisions and take collective action to protect and preserve their water sources.

Frequently asked questions