“Water and Sanitation is one of the primary drivers of public health. I often refer to it as ‘Health 101.’ which means that once we can secure access to clean water and to adequate sanitation facilities for all people, irrespective of the difference in their living conditions, a huge battle against all kinds of diseases will be won.”
          Dr. Lee Jong-wook, Director-General, World Health Organization

Every 15 seconds, a child dies from a water-related disease. That adds up to 6,000 deaths – equivalent to 20 jumbo jets crashing every single day.

The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of all diseases worldwide result from contaminated water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene. These conditions are endemic in developing countries, where the people who suffer most are those least able to cope with and recover from disease.

These diseases not only cause death and physical suffering, they also perpetuate the poverty cycle. When adults are ill, they often cannot work or take care of their children; the entire family suffers. When children are ill, they cannot attend school. Without education, there is little hope for breaking through the poverty barrier.

The three broad categories of waterborne diseases are diarrheal, parasitic, and water washed.

Diarrheal Diseases

• In the past 10 years diarrhea has killed more children than all the people lost to armed conflict since World War II. • In China, India, and Indonesia twice as many people are dying from diarrheal diseases as from HIV/AIDS. • The simple act of washing hands with soap and water can reduce diarrheal disease by one-third.

Diarrhea directly kills 1.8 million people (mostly young children) in developing countries each year, and contributes to the deaths of up to 15 million people.

Diarrhea is a symptom of many different diseases resulting from inadequate water and sanitation. The deadliest diarrheal diseases are cholera, dysentery, and typhoid.

It is estimated that the global infant mortality rate could be halved – primarily through eradicating diarrheal diseases – if everyone had access to enough clean water.

Parasitic Diseases

At any time, 1.5 billion people suffer from parasitic worm infections. Parasites can cause malnutrition, anemia, retarded growth, severe pain, and death, depending upon the severity of the infection. Like diarrhea, parasitic infections can be prevented through safe water, adequate sanitation, and good hygiene.

Water Washed Diseases

Water washed diseases occur when water is scarce and people cannot wash themselves, their clothes, or their homes regularly. Trachoma, the world's leading cause of preventable blindness, is one such disease. It is most prevalent where people live in overcrowded conditions with limited access to water and health care. An estimated 6 million people are blind from trachoma, and 500 million more are at risk.

Health & Hygiene

Water Missions International includes Health & Hygiene training when a Living Water™ Treatment System is installed in a community. The people are taught how bacteria are transmitted and how diseases can be prevented through simple hygiene practices, such as hand washing.