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Water scarcity and pollution in developing countries

Zidra El-Lahib, Maria Panteleeva

Abstract

Introduction: Water scarcity is a global problem that limits access to safe water for drinking and for hygiene at home, school, and health care facilities.

Everybody has the right to live in a clean and safe environment including clean water, safely managed sanitation services, and good hygiene.

Aim: The research aims to put a spotlight on the problems that arise from water scarcity and water pollution.

Materials and Methods: A comprehensive review of scientific articles and guidelines was conducted to understand and assess the problems that arise from water scarcity and water pollution. An evaluation of the collected information was made to understand the consequences that many people might have to face in the future.

Findings: The lack of access to clean water has an impact on health, nutrition, education, and every other aspect of life. Consequences that arise from water scarcity and water pollution affect the countries economically, ecologically, and socially.

The greatest risk to water safety is microbial contamination of faeces. In many cases, a failure of sewage systems is a threat of contracting diseases, especially infections transmitted by faecal-oral mechanism, such as cholera.

Conclusion: This study reveals the challenges that people within rural areas, urban slums, disaster-prone areas, and low-income countries face, in terms of water scarcity and water pollution. It shows possible solutions that should be implemented to improve the living conditions of many people worldwide.

 


Keywords

water scarcity, drinking water, cholera, sanitation, water reuse

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References

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14748/sssp.v9i1.9791

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About The Authors

Zidra El-Lahib
Medical University of Varna
Bulgaria

Student, Faculty of Medicine

Maria Panteleeva
Medical University of Varna

Disaster Medicine and Maritime Medicine Department, Faculty of Public Health

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