Water/Sanitation Yuriko Kubota

Nature of Water Composition of fresh water: 69.56% is frozen, 30.06% is groundwater, and the rest is lakes, soil moisture, water vapour, wetlands, rivers, and etc. Composition of total water: 97.46% is salt water, 2.522% fresh water frozen or underground, and % is fresh water that is not frozen or underground Total water on earth (1000 km³): km³ Water covers three quarters of the earth’s surface

Why is water vital to our life? An average person is composed of 55% of water Human needs at least two litres of water a day; without water we would not be able to survive Most of our food is composed of water More than half of the world’s animal and plant life live in water Water is necessary for household and industrial uses, thermal and nuclear power generation, irrigation, and livestock watering

What are the underlying problems concerning water/sanitation? Fresh water is limited Toxic chemicals contaminating water (such as, arsenic in drinking water) Risks to health and potential diagnosis of water related diseases Wastewater, greywater, etc is used for agriculture and aquaculture Radiological hazards Poor quality of water becomes a threat to animal and plants

Causes Scarcity of good quality water Infectious agents contaminating water Unsafe use of recreational water Unsafe use of wastewater, excreta, and greywater 2.5 billion people lack improved sanitation facilities Radiological hazards due to radionuclide that occur in water

Facts Approximately 1 billion people of the world’s population are denied access to clean water and 2.5 billion people lack access to improved sanitation facilities Countries with most renewable fresh water: 1. Brazil 2. Russia 3.Canada Almost 9% of Canada’s total area is covered with freshwater

Lists of water/sanitation related diseases Anaemia Arsenicosis Cholera Fluorosis Leptospirosis Malaria Ringworm Scabies Typhoid and Paratyphoid Enteric Fevers

Emerging Issue Legionellosis Definition: collection of infections caused by legionella pneumophila and related bacteria Water is legionella’s most natural reservoir Commonly found in water systems of hotels, homes, ships; cooling towers; respiratory therapy equipments; and spa pools Usually caused by warm temperatures May cause a mild febrile illness to a fatal pneumonia

How to prevent the matter Considering regulatory aspects of managing legionella in water systems and limiting exposure to such infections Identifying source of the diseases Raising awareness to the public and prevent recurrence of the disease Enforcing regulations to deal with outbreaks of legionella related infections

Preventive Management Approaches Monitoring the quality of water To build more improved sanitation facilities To teach developing countries about hygiene To enforce more strict laws and policies Preserve fresh water Control of safe recreational water Preventing unsafe use of wastewater, excreta, etc

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