Africa’s Drinking Water By: Rachel White

Africa’s Quick Water Facts Everyday 4,500 children under the age of five die from water related illness. In some parts of Africa women expend as much as 85% of their daily energy intake on getting water, increasing incidences of anemia and other health problems. 1/3 of women in Egypt walk more than a hour a day for water; in other parts of Africa, the task can consume as much as 8hrs. Over 80% of the diseases in developing countries is related to poor drinking water and sanitation. In the past 10 years diarrhea has killed more children worldwide than all the people lost to armed conflict since World War II. More than ½ of Africa’s people lack access to safe drinking water.

Thinking….. Reading these facts this makes me feel very hurt inside to see that children are dying due to water that should be easy to access and clean already. These children walk hours and hours to get water that is bad for their health. They do it anyways because that’s all they have. I feel terrible because common clean water these kids would be very grateful to have we on the other hand throw it to waste. We worry about material things while these kids worry about getting clean healthy water.

Cryptosporidium Cryptosporidium enteritis is an infection of the small intestine with parasite cryptosporidium that causes diarrhea. Cryptosporidium has been recognize as a world wide cause of diarrhea in all age groups. The major risk factor is swallowing water contaminated with feces. Those at higher risk include: Animal handlers People who are in contact with those infected. Young children Outbreak are linked to : Drinking from contaminated public water supplies Drinking unpasteurized cider Swimming in contaminated pools and lakes Symptoms Abdominal cramping Diarrhea, which usually water, large volume and many times a day Malnutrition and weight loss Nausea.

Lead Lead is toxic metal now known to be harmful to human health if inhaled or ingested. Adults who drink this water with lead could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure. Lead is found in source water, but enters tap water through corrosion of plumbing materials. Houses that are built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes. Lead may cause a range of health effects including behavioral problems and learning disabilities.

How’d It Get There?..... These containments enters water by different ways such as : Plumbing ( fixing pipes) Pipes in homes ages which causes lead to enter in water. Cryptosporidium enters water by: Millions of cryptosporidium can be released in a bowel movement from infected human or animal.

What Needs To Be Done What I think needs to be done to prevent people worldwide from drinking water is to build fountains world wide. This could help many ways by providing clean and refreshing water, decreasing the deaths due to unhealthy water, this would be one less thing to worry about each day and also smiles would come across the children's faces.