Chlorination is one of the processes that are carried out to treat water and its objective is to carry out a disinfection of all kinds of bacteria and pathogenic organisms. The ultimate goal of these treatments is to obtain drinking water that can be consumed by humans without risk to their health. But, is there any risk in the fact that this chemical has a presence in the water we drink? We will analyze it below.

The drinking water it is an indispensable resource for human life. More than 90% of the body’s functions are possible thanks to the presence of water and approximately 80% of the human body is made up of water.

The absence of drinking fountains in a community not only generates problems of civility and discomfort, but also provides the ideal setting for the appearance of gastrointestinal diseases and malnutrition .

Fighting malnutrition through drinking water

The project Generation Nutrition of the United Nations Organization recommends three lines of action to combat malnutrition. These consist of:

1. Implement environmental sanitation policies in marginalized communities.
2. Undertake campaigns that promote hygiene in slums.
3. Invest in projects to improve the water quality in human settlements with very limited resources.

Of the three points mentioned above, it is the third that presents the greatest difficulties, because guaranteeing the water safety It not only depends on the human and material resources available, but it is also related to the accessibility of the geographical area to which it is intended to benefit.

Nutritional issues related to water quality

The consumption of unhealthy water is one of the main causes of gastrointestinal diseases. This frequently causes damage to the digestive system that makes it difficult to assimilate nutrients. The Director of Emergency Programs of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) , Manuel Fontaine, states that it is impossible to guarantee adequate nutrition in people who do not have access to quality water consumption .

The most common ailments found in those communities that do not have access to drinking water sources are briefly explained below:

• Chronic poisoning . This phenomenon occurs in populations with scarce resources that are established in places where the soils are sandy and rich in minerals. The level of presence of these substances is sometimes so great that, on occasions, the water tables are contaminated and transmit a high content of heavy metals to the available water reservoirs. The result is that the population consumes water with a high content of heavy metals, such as lead and arsenic, which are highly harmful to health.
• Environmental enteropathy . This disease usually causes greater damage in the child population and consists of the loss of the intestinal capacity to absorb fluids and nutrients. The cause of this disease is due to prolonged consumption of contaminated water.
• Parasitosis . This is usually an easy condition to control. However, it is very difficult to detect and, when it is detectable, the patient is usually in a state of severe parasite infestation. While this is not fatal, it is dangerous and leads to malnutrition. Like environmental enteropathy, parasitosis is the product of ingesting contaminated water.

Action plans to ensure safe water

The UNICEF , as well as the UNESCO , they state that having access to a quality water resource is a fundamental human right . Therefore, in their social improvement programs, these organizations implement actions aimed at improving the management of this resource.

Among the actions undertaken, the following can be highlighted:

• Improvements in water catchment systems.
• Technological research aimed at optimizing water purification processes.
• Implementation of innovative techniques in the storage of water resources.
• Design and construction of piping systems to distribute the liquid promptly and expeditiously.

Fight malnutrition through water quality management

Despite the great efforts made by international organizations to improve the management of the quality of water resources, there are still many challenges and needs that must be covered to improve the quality of life of less fortunate people.

In terms of water distribution and administration, some of the challenges that reality poses to humankind are the following:

• Improve bureaucratic processes in each country to obtain the necessary resources in the construction of quality hydraulic systems.
• Use all relevant technological advances to efficiently transport the vital liquid to those who need it.
• Promote and implement policies that allow the implementation of water systems for human consumption.
• Implement health and nutrition programs in relation to water consumption.
• Undertake education and awareness campaigns in the population for the responsible management of water resources.

Apparently, much remains to be done to achieve access to safe water for all communities. It is necessary for the whole of society to become aware of the importance of proper administration of this resource and its implications for health. This is everyone’s job.

Water is one of the most important resources for the survival of living beings, not only as a basic good, but also as a raw material or auxiliary element to produce many goods and services. What impact does water use have and how to control it? The concept of “Water Footprint” responds to this and other questions about the sustainability of water use.

We all know that when the heat hits it is very important to stay hydrated. High temperatures invite our body to ingest liquids to satisfy the loss that we suffer when the thermometers rise, with a clear signal such as thirst. But what other symptoms can we have with dehydration? And most importantly, how important is hydration to our health, both in summer and winter? Next, we will answer all these questions.

Our planet is made up of three quarters of water. But, nevertheless, in the so-called Blue Planet the scarcity of water is an increasingly pressing problem. Know the causes.

In our day to day we make use of numerous services and systems without asking ourselves how they are managed. But do we know what the water supply system we consume is like? In this post we will tell you briefly

Taking care of water is one of the objectives of # Water2me, a United Nations ‘s campaign to raise awareness about the importance of water.

Water Day

The Water Day organized by the United Nations is celebrated every March 22. It is an initiative that seeks to raise awareness about the importance of this essential element for life. Although the surface of our planet has more than 70% of surface covered with water, only a very small percentage is fresh water.

More specifically, reference is made to 0.025% of that total is drinking water, which shows that taking care of it is an important commitment that must be faced as humanity. This covers not only the future, but also the present, as a mismanagement of this resource will result in unequal access to the liquid.

The problem of water scarcity

Water scarcity is one of the most important problems of humanity. This is a major crisis, as it involves a problem of the inappropriate use of the different sources found throughout the planet, one of the causes of which is the lack of awareness about the use of this liquid.

The demand for the different water sources accelerated thanks to the growth of the world population. This means that, per person, in developed countries an average of approximately 300 liters of Water up to date. However, in less developed countries this amount decreases to an average of 100 liters of water per day. Without a doubt, water, although it must satisfy the demand of the population, also generates strong inequalities throughout the planet.

If there are regions that have high concentrations of water, others lack it. For example, by 2025, 26 African countries are expected to have access to this essential resource for life.

Furthermore, not having equitable access to safe drinking water can cause the death of more than 4,500 children per day around the world, especially in the poorest regions.

Therefore, an environmental responsibility must be acquired, knowing that every action has its consequence and we must take care of it. In fact, awareness about saving water should be considered one of the priorities of our day to day.

Access to drinking water

According to the United Nations, some 2,200 million people (28% of the world’s population) do not have an absolute guarantee of access to drinking water directly.

This means that they must obtain what they need to survive through different mechanisms, such as community wells, where thousands of families must travel long distances to fill tanks or buckets.

The fact that people cannot access equitably to this natural resource means that, sometimes, they must prioritize its use. For example, it has been seen that in the most remote tribes of Africa there are many people who decide not to bathe frequently to have water to hydrate.

Although most readers will have access to this natural resource without any effort, just by turning on the tap and paying for the service, the truth is that in all parts of the world this situation is not the same. Although there are regions where there are rivers in good condition and flows where it reaches different populations, there are others where droughts can be a problem.

Appeal to sustainability

This campaign organized by the United Nations seeks appeal to sustainability in the short, medium and long term. While there are efforts by states and businesses to implement measures that can help solve this problem and guarantee access to the entire planet, consumers must take action on their own.

In that sense, some actions that involve a conscious use of this vital liquid should be implemented. Here are some essential ideas that can be put into action:

• Close the tap when not in use . This applies to different daily actions: brushing teeth, showering, washing dishes, etc. Sometimes, we let the liquid run while we do another action, but this is completely harmful, since we can waste many liters.
• Rationalize irrigation , for example, installing drip irrigation.
• Avoid small losses . By that, it refers to all leaky pipes or faucets. They may look like tiny droplets, but accumulated, they can be large amounts of wasted water.
• Use more efficient appliances , such as state-of-the-art washing machines and dishwashers with savings programs.
• Install thermostatic or electronic faucet in kitchen and bathrooms.
• Place aerators or flow reducers in the taps, which achieve great water savings.

Should the majority of the population take these sustainable measures, large changes in water availability , which would allow a more optimistic future to avoid scarcity and inequality.

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