As we all know water pollution is the contamination of water sources like rivers, lakes, and ponds which end up disrupting the aquatic ecosystems while also causing and spreading numerous diseases endangering human life. For us to tackle this and keep ourselves out of harm’s reach, it is essential to understand the ill effects of what water pollution can do. Here is a brief on everything to know about the diseases caused by water pollution.
Common Diseases Caused by Water Pollution
Polluted water has various contaminants in it that can impact your health causing illnesses that can range from mild to life-threatening. Here are some of the pathogens and the diseases they can spread.
Bacterial Diseases
Cholera: Caused by Vibrio cholerae, cholera can cause severe diarrhea and dehydration and can be fatal if left untreated. According to WHO, in 2023, 4007 cholera-related deaths were reported from 45 countries.
Typhoid Fever: Also called the enteric fever, typhoid is caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi. It is transmitted through fecally contaminated water, affecting an estimated 9-10 million people globally every year.
Viral Diseases
Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver and is primarily transmitted through water contaminated with fecal matter. The infection is contagious and can range from mild to severe illness.
Norovirus: Highly contagious, this is a group of viruses that cause vomiting and diarrhea. It is also commonly called the ‘stomach flu’ or ‘stomach bug’. It spreads through polluted water .
Parasitic Diseases
Giardiasis: A waterborne illness caused by Giardia lamblia, it is responsible for chronic diarrhea.
Cryptosporidiosis: Caused by Cryptosporidium parasites, this parasitic disease can lead to severe diarrhea, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
The United Nations estimates that 80% of diseases in developing countries are linked to water pollution, causing approximately 3.4 million deaths annually.
Health Effects of Drinking Contaminated Water
Beside the above mentioned fatal pathogenic diseases, polluted water also impacts people differently based on the duration and level of exposure.
Short-Term Health Problems
Immediate illnesses, particularly in vulnerable populations like children and the elderly include:
- Diarrhea: A leading cause of death in children under five, diarrhea from polluted water contributes to the loss of essential nutrients and dehydration.
- Nausea and Vomiting: Common symptoms triggered by ingesting harmful bacteria, viruses, or chemicals in polluted water.
- Skin and Eye Infections: Direct contact with polluted water can lead to skin irritations, rashes, or eye infections such as conjunctivitis.
Long-Term Health Problems
Prolonged exposure to polluted water leads to chronic illnesses that may develop over years, significantly affecting quality of life.
- Cancer: Contaminants like arsenic, nitrates, and industrial chemicals increase the risk of cancers, particularly in the bladder, liver, and skin.
- Organ Damage: Heavy metals such as lead and mercury found in polluted water accumulate in the body, causing irreversible damage to the kidneys, liver, and nervous system.
- Reproductive Issues: Toxins in water can disrupt hormones, leading to fertility problems and developmental issues in unborn children.
- Neurological Disorders: High levels of pollutants, such as lead, have been linked to cognitive impairment and developmental delays, especially in children.
Prevention and Protection Against Water Pollution
Preventing water pollution and protecting against waterborne diseases require collective efforts at individual, community, and government levels. Here’s how you can contribute to safeguarding water quality and health.
Safe Water Treatment and Filtration
Ensuring water is safe for consumption starts with proper treatment methods.
- Home Solutions: Boil your drinking water, use UV sterilization, or household water filters to remove pathogens and contaminants.
- Community Efforts: Invest in community-level water treatment plants that use advanced filtration technologies, such as reverse osmosis (RO) and activated carbon filters.
- Emergency Solutions: Portable water purifiers and chlorine tablets can help in areas affected by natural disasters or limited access to clean water.
Government and Community Action
Governments and communities play a critical role in combating water pollution and ensuring safe water access.
- Public Health Policies: Stricter enforcement of industrial waste management laws and regulations on agricultural runoff can significantly reduce pollution.
- Awareness Campaigns: Initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission emphasize sanitation and waste management, indirectly reducing water pollution.
- Clean River Programs: The Namami Gange Programme focuses on cleaning and rejuvenating the Ganges River, addressing sources of pollution such as untreated sewage and industrial discharge.
- Urban Water Management: Programs like AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) work toward improving urban water supply and wastewater management.
Personal Hygiene and Safe Water Practices
Small changes in daily habits can go a long way in protecting yourself and your family from waterborne diseases.
- Handwashing: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water before eating or handling food. This proves to be a first step at tackling the spread of diseases as was evident during the COVID epidemic.
- Food Safety: Use purified water for washing fruits, vegetables, and cooking.
- Storage: Keep drinking water in clean, covered containers to prevent contamination.
- Avoid Direct Contact: Avoid swimming or bathing in polluted water bodies to minimize the risk of infections.
While understanding what polluted water can do to one’s health is good, it is even more critical to make sure we have the knowledge of our water sources, eg, how the municipal water is getting treated locally. This way we know how to be ready for situations where one is in danger of being exposed to such water being supplied. The precautions can range from boiling this water before consumption to installation of hybrid water purifier replete with UV/UF, and RO filtration systems that can safeguard you from microbial contamination as well as from high tds levels.
