The Global Water Crisis

One of the prominent global environmental issues is the lack of clean drinking water in underdeveloped countries. Although water covers over 70% of the Earth, only 3% of the world’s water is freshwater – what we drink, bathe in, and irrigate farms with. Water is currently a scarce resource for 1 billion people in the world. The water crisis is the #1 global risk based on impact to society, according to the World Economic Forum.

It’s hard to imagine that water scarcity affects so many people in the world when water is such an abundant resource in the United States and other developed countries. However, in developing countries, obtaining clean water is often time consuming and takes many resources. Water is usually collected from streams and ponds that are full of water-borne diseases. Additionally, the burden of collecting water falls on women and children of ages between 8 and 13. As a result, women are unable to get jobs and earn money to contribute to their households. Children are unable to go to school because they spend hours to haul water. On average, the distance that someone walks to get water is 3.75 miles.

Water-related diseases such as cholera and diarrheal diseases account for 1.8 million deaths every year, with an especially detrimental effect on child health – every 19 seconds, a child dies of a water-related disease. Diarrhea is also the leading cause of death and illness globally. Although diarrheal diseases cause 17% of deaths in children under the age of 5, it receives significantly less funding for disease control than other diseases. Additionally, there are known ways to prevent diarrheal diseases, including safe water and improved sanitation and hygiene. Providing safe drinking water to underdeveloped communities will enhance longevity and allow impoverished children to lead better lives.

Nonprofit organizations such as the Thirst Project and Water.org raise money to build freshwater wells in underdeveloped communities. It takes about 4-6 months and thousands of dollars to build a well, which can last for up to 40 years if properly maintained. These wells can reduce water-related deaths by up to 37.5%. On a smaller scale, chemicals can be used to purify water. For instance, in indigenous villages of Panama, where reliable water sources are unavailable, bleach is a cheaper water purifier that is used. Other chemicals such as iodine (used among campers) are more expensive. Ultimately, the solution to the water crisis heavily depends on money and time.

Water is the key to life. Access to clean water will improve education, hunger, health, and poverty. Providing safe, clean drinking water to everyone in the world is not a simple task and there probably won’t be a solution anytime soon. Maybe the first step in solving this global issue should be to educate everyone on the scope of the problem.