ODD NUMBER IN THE ATTENDANCE LIST

A THIRSTY WORLD
1. What steps do you or your family take to drink clean or better-tasting water?
2. What sicknesses or diseases can be caused by drinking dirty water?
3. What are two problems relating to water that people face in the world?
4. Which countries might face water problems in the future?
5. Some people suggest that technology such as making drinking water from seawater will solve
water shortages. What do you think about this?
6. What are some ways that countries use water resources inefficiently?
7. How many ways can you think of to save water.

17 disease can caused by drinking contaminated water

1. Cholera
Bacteria called vibrio chlorae cause a small intestinal disease known as cholera.
Symptoms of cholera include diarrhea and vomiting, as well as abdominal cramps
and headache.
You acquire these bacteria when you drink water or eat food contaminated by waste
products (feces) from an infected person. You can also get sick by eating
contaminated vegetables that have been irrigated with contaminated water. In heavily
populated places with poor sanitation and limited water resources, a single infected
person can contaminate the water and affect the entire population.

2. Amoebiasis (Travellers Diarrhea)

One of the most common diseases caused by water pollution is amoebiasis. Water
contaminated by amoeba can cause infection to the large intestine as well as the
liver. Symptoms can range from mild to severe diarrhea with blood and mucus.
Factors that increase your risk for amoebiasis include poor hygiene, use of water
contaminated by sewage or non-treated water, presence of flies, and person-to-
person contact.
To prevent amoebiasis, wash your hands properly using soap, use clean toilets and
avoid sharing personal items.

3. Dysentery
Dysentery causes fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, and severe diarrhea with blood
and mucus. You may also have symptoms of mild illness such as mild stomach pain
and diarrhea.
It is caused by bacteria entering the mouth through contaminated water or food and
poor hygiene. To prevent the disease, wash your hands regularly, maintain good
hygiene and drink clean water.

4. Diarrhea
Infectious diarrhea is one of the most common diseases caused by water pollution. It
causes frequent passage of loose, water stools that can cause dehydration and death
to young children and infants.
The most common cause is a water-borne virus, but bacteria and parasites from water
contaminated with feces are also common causes.
You can avoid diarrhea by boiling your drinking water or by using chemically treated
water and by not drinking or eating from unsafe sources.

5. Hepatitis A
This infectious disease affects the liver and is caused by the hepatitis A virus. It
usually spreads by the fecal-oral route, by ingestion of contaminated water or food, or
by direct contact with an infected person. Hepatitis A infection is a self-limiting
disease that does not lead to chronic infection/liver disease.
Symptoms include fever, nausea, fatigue, abdominal pain, diarrhea, jaundice, weight
loss, and depression.
Prevent hepatitis A by using only safe water, properly disposing sewage and
practicing good hygiene.

6. Lead Poisoning
Water contaminated with lead coming from old pipes can cause lead poisoning, one
of the serious diseases caused by water pollution. Children are at risk since chronic
exposure to this metal can cause a number ofhealth problems, including organ
damage.
This can lead to nervous system disorders, anemia, high blood pressure, kidney
disease and problems with the reproductive system.
The best way to prevent lead poisoning is to change your water pipes or to treat your
water regularly. In the morning, you can also flush water through your faucet before
drinking.

7. Malaria
Malaria is a disease caused by parasites, which are spread by female mosquitos
called Anopheles. Mosquitos breed in water, and when they bite a person infected
with malaria, they can spread the infection to other people.
Symptoms of malaria include fever, headache and shivering. In severe cases, it can
even lead to complications like pneumonia, severe anemia, coma and death.
To prevent breeding of mosquitos and malaria, pooled water must be eliminated. You
can also use mosquito nets and pesticides and practice good sanitation.

8. Polyomavirus Infection
The name polyoma refers to the viruses' ability to produce multiple (poly-) tumors (-
oma). Polyomavirus are tumor viruses that affect animals and humans. They are
often acquired in childhood and persist as infections in hosts without causing disease,
but can lead to development of tumors in hosts with weak immune systems.
Polyomavirus infection is caused by two types of viruses BK and JC virus, which can
be transmitted through different routes, including food and water (fecal-oral route),
sexual contact, through air, surfaces, blood, etc. Many people (up to 80%) have
antibodies to these viruses. Prevention includes good hygiene and sanitation.

9. Polio (Infantile Paralysis)

Poliomyelitis is an acute viral infection caused by poliovirus, which spreads through
the fecal-oral-route. The virus is passed through water from the feces of an infected
individual.
Symptoms: Most people who get the virus have no symptoms but in affected
individuals, the virus enters the blood stream and damages the nervous system,
causing weakness and paralysis. Initial symptoms include fever, headache, and
seizures, followed by paralysis.
Your risk of acquiring polio is increased by factors like malnutrition and immune
deficiency. Proper hygiene and sanitation, use of clean water, and getting
vaccinations in childhood can help prevent the disease.

10. Arsenicosis
This condition is caused by chronic exposure to small amounts of arsenic found in
drinking-water.
Symptoms include painful skin lesions (keratosis), which can progress into cancer. It
can also affect your lungs, kidneys andbladder. Millions of people are at risk of
arsenic poisoning from contaminated water supplies from natural sources.

11. Fluorosis
This is a condition that leads to serious bone disease and is caused by high levels of
fluoride naturally found in groundwater. It occurs in more than 25 countries around
the world and estimates suggest that tens of millions of people may be affected

12. Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm Disease)

This is one of the diseases caused by water pollution in Africa. People are infected
with the worms when they drink water contaminated with the larvae. These larvae
develop into mature adult Guinea worms, which can grow up to a meter long. They
leave the body after living there for about one year, leaving debilitating ulcers.

13. Intestinal Worms

Parasitic intestinal worms (helminthes/roundworms, whipworms and/or hookworms)
can be transmitted through contaminated food and soil contaminated with human
feces. It is estimated that up to 10 percent of the population, mostly children, has
intestinal worms that can cause anemia, malnutrition, or growth retardation. Children
are particularly susceptible and typically have the largest number of worms. It can be
prevented by good sanitation and hygiene and use of clean drinking water and food.

14. Trachoma (Eye Infection)

This infection spreads through poor hygiene and sanitation caused by the lack of
adequate safe water supply. It is more likely to affect women and children.
Approximately 6 million people with trachoma have developed blindness. Studies
show that providing people with adequate water supply can significantly reduce
infection rates.

15. Typhoid Fever

 This common bacterial infection affects around 12 million people annually. It is
caused by the ingestion of contaminated food and water. Symptoms include nausea,
loss of appetite, andheadache.

16. Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia)

Schistosomiasis is caused by worms that are spread by freshwater snails living in
contaminated water. They penetrate your skin while swimming, wading or washing in
the contaminated water, causing cause infection and damage your liver, lungs,
intestines, and bladder.
It is estimated that around 200 million people have schistosomiasis, with 10 percent
suffering from severe consequences. Having adequate water supply and avoidance
of contact with contaminated water can significantly reduce infection rates.

17. HIV/AIDS
Water contamination does not cause this condition technically, but can aggravate the
harms. People who are infected with HIV/AIDS have a weakened immune system
that makes them more susceptible to diseases caused by water pollution. It is
therefore important to maintain good hygiene and sanitation to prevent them from
acquiring water-related diseases, which can make the sicker.

Access- Availability & Challenges[edit]

Woman Washing at Water's Edge, Bangladeshi Village

Approximately 80% of all illnesses in developing countries are caused by poor water and
sanitation conditions. It is common for women and girls to have to walk several kilometers every
day to fetch water for their families. Once filled, water jugs can weigh as much as 20 kg
(44 lbs).[2]
In the last century, water use has greatly outpaced the rate of population growth: people are
using more water than ever before. By 2025, up to 1.8 billion people could face water
scarcity.[3] Water scarcity can take two forms: physical water scarcity, or low quantity of water,
and economic water scarcity, or low quality of water.

Physical water scarcity[edit]

This term typically applies to dry, arid regions where fresh water naturally occurs in low
quantities. This is being greatly exacerbated by anthropogenic activities that take surface and
ground water faster than the environment can replenish it. Regions most affected by this type of
water scarcity are Mexico, Northern and Southern Africa, the Middle East, India, and Northern
China.[2]
 Economic water scarcity[edit]
Economic water scarcity applies to areas or cultures that lack the fiscal resources and/or human
capacity to invest in water sources and meet the local demand. Water is often only available to
those who can pay for it or those in political power; leaving millions of the world's poorest without
access. Regions most affected by this type of scarcity are portions of Central and South America,
Central Africa, India, and South East Asia.[2] It is important to highlight the distinction between
these two forms of scarcity: water can be physically available, but the resources are not available
to improve it and distribute it to those who need it

Access to water
- In the semi-desert, access to water means life to refugees and the
displaced.
- More than 850 million people have insufficient access to drinking water.
The average water use ranges from200-300 litresa person a day in most
countries in Europe to less than10 litresin the developing countries.
- The average distance walked by women in Africa and Asia to fetch water is
6 kilometres. They are often accompanied by their daughters, who therefore
miss the chance to go to school and receive an education.
- Inhabitants in the slums of Jakarta, Manila and Nairobi pay 5 to 10 times
more for their water than those living in London or New York.
- In Manila, the cost of a connection to the water mains represents about
three months' income for the poorest 20% of households, rising to six
months in urban Kenya.

Health
- In many countries, a large proportion of the population take their water from
canals and ditches, often polluted.
- 2 million people die each year due to illnesses caused by the improper use
of water
- Around 4,000 children under five die every day due to a lack of drinking
water or proper sanitation.

Education
- Millions of people don't know that washing their hands with soap and water
could save their lives, or that their day-to-day activities pollute the water they
will later be drinking.
- There is no sustainable development without education.
 Food security
- Drylands occupy around half the planet's total land area and are home to
one third of the world's population.
- The challenge of putting an end to hunger involves improving irrigation
techniques and, above all, empowering farmers and achieving ecosystem
sustainability.
- Combatting rural poverty also stems migration to the shantytowns of large
cities.

Improved sanitation
- More than 1.2 billion people have to defecate in the open air; it is not
possible to have a decent living without toilets or clean and hygienic latrines.
- Almost 2.5 billion people have no access to basic sanitation facilities,
crucial to prevent diseases by defecation pollution.

Turned the sea-water into fresh water (desalination)

Desalination/distillation is one of mankind's earliest forms of water treatment, and

it is still a popular treatment solution throughout the world today. In ancient
times, many civilizations used this process on their ships to convert sea water into
drinking water. Today, desalination plants are used to convert sea water to
drinking water on ships and in many arid regions of the world, and to treat water
in other areas that is fouled by natural and unnatural contaminants. Distillation is
perhaps the one water treatment technology that most completely reduces the
widest range of drinking water contaminants.

Countries who use the water inefficiently

Agriculture, energy production, industry, public water supply and

ecosystems are all important, and all competing for this limited resource.
With climate change making water supply less predictable, it is extremely
important that Europe uses water more efficiently for the benefit of all its
users.

EEA Executive Director Jacqueline McGlade

The report 'Towards Efficient use of water resources in Europe' from the European
Environment Agency (EEA) makes the case for an integrated water management,
starting with better implementation of existing legislation.
"Water resources are under pressure in many parts of Europe, and it is getting
worse," EEA Executive Director Jacqueline McGlade said.

"Agriculture, energy production, industry, public water supply and ecosystems are all
important, and all competing for this limited resource. With climate change making
water supply less predictable, it is extremely important that Europe uses water more
efficiently for the benefit of all its users. Water resources should be managed as
effectively as any other natural asset owned by countries."

Water shortages have severe consequences for economies reliant on agriculture and
industry. Some shortages have even led to drinking water restrictions in parts of
Europe. There are also indirect effects on the economy, as reduced river flows,
falling lake and groundwater levels, and disappearing wetlands can have destructive
effects on the natural systems underpinning economic productivity.

Increasingly, there is intense competition for water resources in some parts of

Europe. Across the European Union, agriculture uses about a quarter of water
diverted from the natural environment, though this can be up to 80% in southern
Europe. In addition, public water supply accounts for approximately a fifth of water
use across Europe and over a quarter of this is used just to flush the toilet.
Hydropower installations also change the natural structure and flow of rivers and
lakes, with consequences for ecosystems.

Agriculture is one sector where easy efficiency gains are possible, because a lot of
water is used inefficiently to irrigate crops. Some estimates calculate that
approximately a quarter of water abstracted for irrigation in Europe could be saved,
just by changing the type of pipe or channel used. Public water supply can be made
more effective - as much as 50% of drinking water is lost in some EU Member
States.

Inefficient use of water also leads to higher energy use, with extra financial and
environmental costs, according to the report. While the energy needed to pump and
treat freshwater into drinking water is typically around 0.6 kWh/m3, desalination of
seawater adds approximately 4 kWh/m3. Several European countries use
desalination technology, most notably Spain, which is among the highest users of
desalination globally.
 Authorities should set clear environmental targets for water use, within the limit of
what is sustainable, according to the report. Such targets would differ depending on
the available resources, but should be designed so that the natural environment has
sufficient water to function. A form of 'decoupling' is needed so that increasing
economic productivity does not entail increasing water use and increasing
environmental impacts.

Historically, water prices in Europe have rarely reflected the true financial cost of
supplying water, nor the economic costs to the environment. This has led to
pollution and water scarcity, imposing costs on the environment and society. For
example, the general public typically has to pay for the cost of treating drinking
water contaminated by agriculture or industry. Putting the right price on water can
incentivise more efficient use of water and technological innovation. Effective use of
taxes, subsidies, market mechanisms, pricing schemes and other economic
instruments can also help balance conflicting demands on water.

Later this year, the 'Blueprint to safeguard Europe's waters' published by the
European Commission will map the way forward in this area. Throughout 2012 the
EEA will release a series of reports on related water issues, exploring a variety of
challenges and opportunities.

Ways to Save Water Indoors

1. Check all faucets, pipes and toilets for leaks.
2. Install water saving showerheads and ultra-low-flush toilets.
3. Take shorter showers.
4. Never use your toilet as a wastebasket.
5. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
6. Defrost frozen food in the refrigerator.