Water is essential to human nourishment, health, and stability. But harmful bacteria or viruses can contaminate public drinking water supplies, resulting in a water crisis that has killed more people than hostilities with Armed Conflicts. In order to ensure the security and quality of our drinking water supply, elimination of water pollution is a must. The transmission of tiny organisms through contaminated water or excrement is a significant public health hazard known as waterborne illnesses. Certain infections caused by water might be hard to identify and cure medically. It is imperative that this issue be professionally addressed for the benefit of both individuals and communities. Reducing waterborne illnesses, expanding access to clean water, fostering economic growth, enhancing health, and lowering poverty all depend on water conservation.
Global aspect of Waterborne Diseases:
Public health is still seriously threatened by waterborne illnesses. A shocking number of people, at least 1.7 billion people worldwide, depend on tainted drinking water sources that are contaminated with feces, according to the World Health Organization's Key Facts report, which was released in September 2023. This increases the risk of waterborne illnesses and jeopardizes the safety and quality of our water supply. It also affects vulnerable groups more frequently, including older adults, children, pregnant women and their unborn children, infants, and those with compromised immune systems or chronic illnesses. Given that waterborne illnesses remain one of the main causes of morbidity and death worldwide, it is imperative that we address this issue.
Different kinds of Waterborne Diseases:
Pathogenic bacteria, along with their toxic exudates and pollutants, can cause waterborne illnesses and worm infections. Typical instances include the following:
Cholera: This disease, which is especially hazardous during the monsoon season, is brought on by deadly bacteria that contaminate food and drink. Muscle cramps, vomiting, loose motion, and loss of body fluid are among the symptoms. It is necessary to act promptly to avoid major issues or even death.
Diarrhea: Another illness that can spread through tainted water sources, such as ponds and swimming pools, is diarrhea. It interferes with the body's capacity to properly digest food, which can cause fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, and weight loss.
Amoebiasis (Traveler's Diarrhea): Amoeba protozoa are the cause of amoebiasis, also known as traveller's diarrhea, a waterborne illness that frequently affects travellers. Large intestine and liver infections are its main causes, which lead to bloody and mucusy diarrhea. It spreads by flies, sewage-contaminated water, and inadequate hygiene standards.
Dysentery: Patients with this illness report experiencing red diarrhea and stomach pain. It is also brought on by drinking or living in contaminated water. In addition to fever and muscle spasms, this illness sometimes causes burning or itching skin. Due to tainted water, it is highly conceivable for someone to contract cholera, red diarrhea, and diarrhea simultaneously.
Typhoid: Salmonella bacteria, which is found in polluted water, is the main cause of typhoid fever. Eating tainted food or drink from an infected person's excrement can spread the illness. A high temperature that lasts for several days, excruciating stomach pain, headaches, and vomiting are among the symptoms. The fungus on the leaves of this disease persists long after treatment, which makes it the most deadly. A blood sample is obtained and tested in order to make the diagnosis of this condition. Using clean water, utilizing an excellent antibacterial soap, and managing wastewater properly are some precautions. For this, a variety of antibiotics are employed.
Hepatitis A: One of the most serious infections that can result in liver infections is hepatitis A (jaundice). The hepatitis A virus can be found in contaminated food and water, and eating it is the primary way to contract the illness. An additional significant factor in the disease's transmission is played by flies that fall on fruits and vegetables. The illness manifests as liver inflammation, which includes jaundice (a yellowing of the eyes, skin, and urine) as well as abdominal pain, nausea, fever, and loose stools. To diagnose, blood tests are performed.
Dengue fever: is caused by a virus, and the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, is a major vector for the virus's propagation. This mosquito is typically larger than other mosquitoes and has lines in black and white on its body. The symptoms of dengue fever, which include intense joint and muscle pain, pain behind the eyes, fever, and red, welt-like swelling throughout the body, have earned it the nickname "spinal fever" as well. Diseases like dengue fever are carried and spread by insects that breed or reside in water. Household drinking water containers can act as breeding grounds for certain of these insects, which are know as vectors.
Trachoma: is an ocular illness that mostly affects women and children as a result of inadequate hygiene and sanitation brought on by a lack of access to clean water.
Cancer: Drinking water tainted with pollutants like chlorinated solvents and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) increases the chance of getting cancer. These compounds can harm DNA and result in cancerous tumors. This illness may result in exorbitant medical expenses, ongoing discomfort, or even death. Many people have died from this terrible sickness all throughout the world.
Fluorosis: is a condition that deteriorates the condition of bones and teeth. Drinking surface or groundwater with elevated fluorine chemical content is typically the source of the illness. This substance occurs naturally in groundwater and affects millions of people around the world.
Kidney and liver problems: Consuming water tainted with chemicals can occasionally harm the kidneys and liver. MTBE and chlorinated diluents are two of the most common chemical contaminants. These toxins are linked to renal failure, liver inflammation, liver failure, and kidney stone development. It may also make other illnesses worse that depend on these organs for support. Chronic exposure to chemically tainted drinking water has also been connected to a number of neurological issues, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
To prevent the spread of waterborne diseases, it is important to maintain clean water sources and practice good hygiene. If symptoms are traced, it is important to seek medical advice immediately for effective treatment and recovery.
Solutions for Water contamination:
To mitigate the occurrence of waterborne illnesses, it is imperative that we recognize the significance of conserving water. Water conservation plays a critical role in ensuring global access to clean water. By enhancing water supply and sanitation practices, as well as managing water resources more effectively, countries can stimulate economic growth while significantly improving public health and alleviating poverty. Given below are well recognized measure to combat the water contamination issues:
Air pollution: directly impacts oceans, absorbing 25% of CO2 emissions. This acidification threatens marine life and corals. Preventing air pollution is crucial. Public transport, carpooling, and reducing emissions can contribute to less air pollution, save money, and reduce fuel and gas consumption.
Storm water Management: Storm water management is an attempt to reduce runoff of rainwater and melting snow.
Curtailing plastic waste: approximately 80 per cent of plastic in the ocean falls from land. To reduce the amount of plastic entering our oceans, we need to reduce global plastic consumption and improve plastic waste management.
Wastewater Treatment: Wastewater treatment contains eliminating pollutants from wastewater through physical, chemical, or biological methods.
Tree Planting: Plants play an important role in purifying our water and air. Trees and forests play a vital role in seizing rainwater and dropping the risk of natural disasters such as floods and landslides. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. In water bodies this is beneficial for fish and improves water quality. Water-based plants also absorb nutrients, bacteria, metals, and chemicals.