Drinking water is essential for life and health. It’s not only vital for daily consumption but also indispensable for hygiene, disease prevention, and the functioning of healthcare facilities. However, millions of people around the world still lack access to this basic resource, which poses a direct threat to their well-being.
Access to drinking water in figures
According to a joint report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, more than 2.2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water services. This represents nearly 28% of the world’s population.
The consequences of drinking contaminated or unsafe water
Consumption of contaminated water is one of the leading causes of disease worldwide. It is estimated that approximately 502,000 deaths occur each year from diarrheal diseases associated with consumption of unsafe water, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene.
Among the most common waterborne diseases are:
- Diarrhea
- Anger
- Dysentery
- Typhoid fever
- Hepatitis A
- Intestinal parasites
These waterborne diseases are among the leading causes of death from unsafe water, particularly affecting children.
The importance of water in public health
Access to safe drinking water in health care facilities is essential not only for the treatment of diseases but also for the prevention of healthcare-associated infections. The WHO warns that 25% of health care facilities worldwide do not have safely managed water services, which compromises the provision of care for births, surgeries, wound care, and the treatment of contagious diseases.
Furthermore, in emergency contexts—such as natural disasters or humanitarian crises—safe drinking water makes the difference between containing an outbreak or triggering an epidemic. Hand hygiene and the cleaning of medical equipment depend entirely on a safe source of water.
Water as a human right
In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly recognized access to safe drinking water and sanitation as a human right essential for life and dignity. However, the challenge remains enormous; universal access to water remains a challenge, especially in regions where untreated water consumption is prevalent, or even unequal access, pollution of natural sources, and a lack of infrastructure in many regions of the world prevent this right from being effectively fulfilled.
Comparison with other water access solutions
In areas without access to traditional water infrastructure, there are several strategies for providing water:
-
Tanker trucks: They provide mobile supply, but they depend on constant logistics and have high operating costs.
-
Wells and boreholes: Require geological evaluation and may become depleted or contaminated.
-
Water treatment plants: Very effective, but expensive and difficult to implement in isolated locations.
-
Portable filters: Useful for individuals or small families, but insufficient for communities or health centers.
Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs), on the other hand, capture moisture from the air and produce drinking water locally. They do not depend on external sources, require low maintenance, and can be installed in remote areas, making them an autonomous, scalable, and sustainable solution.
Technological solutions for safer health
As the water crisis deepens, sustainable and innovative alternatives are emerging to ensure access to safe drinking water, even in places without traditional water infrastructure.
These solutions include purification technologies such as Atmospheric Water Generators, which represent an innovation in access to water in rural areas or areas without traditional water infrastructure . They are also contaminant-free and ready for human consumption.
GENAQ’s commitment
At GENAQ, we develop atmospheric water generation technologies with a clear objective: to bring safe water to the people who need it most, without relying on public networks or natural sources.
Our generators:
- They work even in low relative humidity conditions
- They meet international standards for drinking water quality
- They offer an autonomous, sustainable and low environmental impact solution.
They are ideal for:
- Rural communities without access to water networks
- Hospitals and health centers in isolated areas
- Emergency situations and humanitarian aid
Drinking water and health: an inseparable link
Health begins with access to water. Ensuring that everyone can drink, cook, and wash with clean water not only prevents disease, but also improves quality of life, drives development, and protects future generations.
At GENAQ, we reaffirm our commitment to sustainable solutions that protect health and promote well-being, drop by drop.
Comments
