Water related diseases and contamination in water system Flashcards
define water contamination
unwanted entry of disease germs into drinking water or edible foods
what are the reasons for water contamination
- Improper disposal of sewage leads to leakage into the soil and may contaminate water supplies
- Defecating/urinating near lakes, rivers
- Draining animal wastes and washings into water bodies
- Draining industrial and agricultural wastes that contain chemicals
give examples of water contamination which can harm life
o Industrial waste which contains mercury causes nervous system abnormalities
o Tannery waste contains anthrax bacilli
o Pesticides can cause hormonal imbalance and cancer
o High fluoride water can cause tooth, neuro-muscular and bone disorders
name stressors that affect water hygiene and sanitation
- Population growth
- Urbanisation
- Increasing population density increases vulnerability to waterborne diseases
- Growing water demand for cities (industrial and agricultural)
- Climate variability
- “advances” such as a damns roads and deforestation can lead to increased prevalence of the water-associated disease
what is the difference been waterborne infections and water associated vector-borne diseases. provide examples for both
waterborne infections linked to poor hygiene, poor sanitation, ingestion or and contact with unsafe water
Diarrhoea
Water associated vector-borne diseases
Example: Malaria and dengue fever
Requires water to propagate insect vectors that transmit pathogenic microbes when taking blood meal from a human
what is sustainable water use
use of water that supports the ability of human society to endure and flourish into the indefinite future without undermining the integrity of the hydrologic cycle of the ecological systems that depend on it
give approaches for reducing water-borne diseases
- Engineer safe sanitation, hygiene and drainage systems.
- Improving water catchment and drainage
- Education of use of water and cooking food
