Water is essential to life and the most vital resource that we have. It sustains life on earth and comprises more than 60% of our planet’s surface. In the present age, safe drinking water has become scarce because of pollution and a lack of awareness among people. About 3 billion people worldwide don’t have access to safe drinking water. Many contaminants can make water unsafe for consumption. Many people do not care about the safety of their drinking water, and hence they drink unsafe water, which can lead to severe health issues or even death in extreme cases.
Fortunately, there are ways you can source your clean drinking water if you’re in an area that doesn’t have access to it. In this article, we’ll discuss the rising health concern because of water pollution and find out how to get safe drinking water.
Let us first talk about the rising health concerns due to water contamination.
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Threat to Human Life
You may have heard about the many health effects of water pollution, but some of these effects are still new to you. For example, water pollution can cause cancer, infections, skin disease, and respiratory issues. It can also lead to gastrointestinal troubles and reproductive issues like infertility or birth defects.
One clear example of water pollution as a threat to human life is the incident at Camp Lejeune. While there are no definite figures for the deaths due to water contamination in Camp Lejeune, hundreds and thousands of people were exposed to water contamination. If you lived, worked, or served at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, you are eligible for compensation for health issues. All you have to do is find a lawyer and file a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit.
The Emergence of Water-Borne Diseases
The emergence of water-borne diseases has been on the rise due to poor management of water resources. They are caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, that contaminate water supplies. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified a few characteristics that make a disease a water-borne disease:
- Transmission can occur through direct contact with contaminated water or indirect contact via surfaces or objects which have become contaminated.
- The causative agent can be dispersed in aerosols or droplets that may remain suspended in the air for long periods.
- Skin abrasions may accelerate entry into the body if there is no protection against exposure.
Increased Risk of Cancer
The risk of getting cancer has increased significantly due to water pollution. With this, we need to be aware of what we consume and how it affects our health. Water purifying products like chlorine are also a potential risk of cancer. The by-products of chlorine are connected with escalating risk of rectal and bladder cancer.
Even the public water systems matching all the principles of national drinking water standards may contain some water contaminants that may become potential health risks.
Devastating Effects on Wildlife
The effects of water pollution on wildlife are devastating. The first victims of water pollution are often the animals that live near our streams and lakes. Unlike humans, they can’t just move away from polluted areas to avoid exposure to toxins and bacteria in the water supply. Animals are much more vulnerable to these dangers than humans. They tend to have much shorter life spans and cannot adapt quickly enough if their environment changes rapidly.
Unstable Ecosystem
The ecosystem is becoming increasingly unstable, with a decrease in the water sources and an increase in the earth’s temperature. It is due to a rise in greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, which cause climate change. The soil often deteriorates because of pollution from food waste, pesticides, and fertilizers released into the environment without any control. The water cycle has worsened due to climate change because there is more evaporation from warmer temperatures. Air quality has also deteriorated because of increased greenhouse gas emissions causing smoggy conditions over heavily populated cities.
Lack of Drinking Water for Survival
Water is a basic need for survival. It is a renewable resource and can be found anywhere in the world. Water pollution is one of the biggest threats our planet faces today. Water is considered a common good that equally belongs to all people worldwide.
Possible Methods to Derive Safe Drinking Water
Filtration
Filtration is a physical process that removes particles from water. You can remove most of the bacteria, viruses, and protozoa from water by using a filtration process. Different materials will have different effects on removing different types of contaminants. The filter that works best depends on what you’re trying to accomplish.
Boiling
One of the best ways to make water safe to drink is to boil it. It is especially true if you are in a survival situation or live in an area without clean drinking water. Boiling the water for at least 1 minute will kill any bacteria, viruses, or parasites that may be present in it.
Water Purification Tablets
Water purification tablets are an excellent option for those who want to be able to purify water anywhere and anytime. Tablets are small and portable, making them easy to carry around, and they’re also inexpensive.
You can use these products on any unpurified water source, including streams, rivers, and lakes. Just drop one tablet into each liter of contaminated water you plan on drinking and wait 20 minutes before drinking it safely.
Distillation
Distillation is a process that involves heating water until it evaporates, followed by condensing the vapor back into the liquid and filtering out any contaminants that have been removed from the water during evaporation. The result is pure, clean drinking water.
You can distill water using a solar still or boiling regular tap or stream water. You can also purchase a distiller online from online shopping portals.
Solar Disinfection
Sunlight is a powerful disinfectant: it kills bacteria, viruses, and parasites. You can use sunlight to purify water in many ways, including through solar disinfection (SODIS), UV-C radiation, and a portable water filter.
Emergency Water Rationing and Storage
In times of emergency, you will likely have to ration your water supply. Therefore, it’s necessary to have a plan for what you’ll do with this precious resource in the case of an emergency.
You must consider storing extra water in advance, ready with plenty when disaster strikes. While storing water, it must be kept at or below room temperature and away from light sources such as windows or lamps.
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is one of the oldest water treatment systems. It has been used worldwide for hundreds of years and is a viable option today.
It requires a container to collect rainwater, which gets stored and used when needed. Rainwater that falls onto hard surfaces like roofs or sidewalks is generally safe to drink without further treatment because it has not been exposed to harmful chemicals or pathogens.
There are Many Ways to Source Safe Drinking Water
With the growing awareness about water pollution, people are becoming cautious about their health. As a result, people are taking proper precautions to avoid the diseases caused by polluted water.
There are several other ways to source safe drinking water. Most of them are simple and can be done quickly when you find yourself in a situation where it is necessary to get clean drinking water and avoid sickness.
Water is a precious resource that you should always take care of. The best thing you can do is to be prepared for any emergency by having enough clean water stored at home. This way, no matter what happens in the world or where you live, your family will always have access to safe water sources.
