Megan F, Sarah S, Maile M, Chengyi S Block G

Background info Around 80% of illnesses in developing nations are caused by poor water condition Most waterborne diseases are found in developing countries because they lack the advanced water systems like Canada that filter and chlorinate water to get rid of all diseases carrying disease infected organisms Each year, polluted water kills 2 million, and makes another billion sick Lack of sanitized water contributes to disease and illness such as malaria, cholera, typhoid, leprosy, bilharzias, etc.

Abuse of water resources Many areas are using up groundwater much faster than it can be replenished; they are using up deposits that are millions of years old and cause water tables to drop As wells are dug deeper, they hit mineral deposits, which seep into the water. This leads to fluorosis and arsenic poisoning Common water contaminants: metals, organic matter, arsenic, salts, fluoride, viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and parasites

Factors that prevent better water quality in developing nations Barriers that contribute to water problems in developing nations consist of poverty, illiteracy, rapid population growth and ineffective policies dealing with developing water sources Many countries do not have the money or resources to meet public demand Many countries that have water do not have the money to distribute it

Obstacles Developing countries generally have widespread poverty which means they can’t afford to sanitize the water Many people have to travel long distances to collect water Most people in developing countries cannot afford the charge of getting clean water from privatized government water services Some developing countries have corrupt leaders who don’t care about the health of the citizens; instead they focus on their own power

Difficulties breaking out of poverty Poor health decreases productivity which results in costly economic losses for developing nations There is economic waste as women spend hours a day collecting water with little money going into the economy People have illegal connections to get access to clean water which can end in arrest The cycle of poverty continues as people become ill and cannot go to school and work to further their education and make money They don’t have access to good medical care

Strategies to protect the quality and quantity of freshwater supply for Canada Prohibit bulk water exports to other countries The government introduced the Transboundary Waters Protection Act which prohibits bulk removal of water between Canada and the USA Prohibitions on the bulk removal of Canada’s water to other countries The only exception to the act is in the event of a forest fire over the border Unfortunately it is an old bill that has loopholes that allow big corporations to continue exporting Canada’s water over the border

Strategies to protect the quality and quantity of freshwater supply for Canada Restore Canada’s ecosystem health by improving municipal wastewater treatment systems Making sure that oil sand developers handle polluted water Provide proper funding for flood protection and drought management planning

High standard of living in Canada Canada has adequate water services, which prevent disease and illness caused by poor water quality in developing nations Unlike developing nations, Canadians do not suffer from waterborne diseases Excellent health increases productivity, which leads to economic development Have access to health care No major economic waste in getting water, as people have time to strengthen the economy and have an education

Sources Sengupta, Somini. "India Digs Deeper, but Wells Are Drying Up." The New York Times. The New York Times, 29 Sept Web. 26 May "Water Issues in Developing Countries." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 26 May Jacobs, Jeffrey W. "Developing Countries, Issues in." Water Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May Government Supports Initiative to Safeguard Canada’s Fresh Water." Government of Canada, Foreign Affairs Trade and Development Canada, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Communications, E- Communications Communications Products and Services. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May "Global Issues at the United Nations." UN News Center. UN, n.d. Web. 28 May "Water Security in Developing Countries." Water Security in Developing Countries. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 May "Water Encyclopedia." Developing Countries, Issues in. Advameg, Inc., Web. 20 May Shah, Anup. "Water and Development." - Global Issues. 6 June Web. 20 May Pictures: Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. Digital image x300.jpg. N.p., n.d. Web.