Access to safe drinking water is a fundamental pillar of human health. Yet millions of people around the world are still exposed to contaminated water sources, with serious health, social and economic consequences. The quality of the water we consume not only influences our daily hydration, but can also play a role in the onset or prevention of diseases that affect entire communities.
The relationship between water and disease is a critical public health issue. In this blog, we look at the link between water and health, and how innovative solutions such as GENAQ’s technology can contribute to a healthier and fairer future.
What is the relationship between water and disease?
The relationship between water and disease is direct and profound. Contaminated water is a common vehicle for the transmission of multiple pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites and toxic chemicals. These can cause everything from intestinal infections to chronic diseases or epidemic outbreaks.
The problem is not only lack of water, but also lack of safe drinking water. Even in areas where water is accessible in quantity, its poor quality represents a constant health risk, especially for the most vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and poor communities. Understanding the impact of water and disease is therefore key to designing effective solutions.
Most common diseases caused by contaminated water
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that more than 2 billion people consume water contaminated with faeces. The most common diseases caused by contaminated water include:
- Diarrhoea: One of the leading causes of child deaths in the world. It is often caused by drinking water containing bacteria such as Escherichia coli or Salmonella.
- Cholera: A highly contagious disease that spreads rapidly in areas without adequate sanitation.
- Typhoid fever and dysentery: Severe infections of the digestive system, caused by bacteria present in contaminated water.
- Hepatitis A: Transmitted by water contaminated with viruses, can cause severe liver symptoms.
- Intestinal parasites: Such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium, which affect the digestive system and child development.
These waterborne diseases not only cause physical suffering, but also affect the productivity, education and general well-being of sufferers.
Social and economic consequences of lack of safe drinking water
Lack of access to safe drinking water has effects that go beyond health. The impact of the relationship between water and disease is also reflected in the economy and social development. Communities without access to safe water face difficulties that impact their social and economic development:
- Increased health costs: Health systems are overwhelmed by preventable diseases.
- Loss of labour productivity: Water-related diseases limit the ability to work or attend school.
- Holds back development: Communities without safe water find it difficult to advance in terms of nutrition, hygiene, agriculture or industry.
How to prevent disease through access to safe water
Prevention is the most effective tool to break the negative link between water and disease. Ensuring safe water means drastically reducing the risk of communicable diseases. Some key measures include:
- Water treatment and purification at source or at the point of consumption.
- Hygiene education: Hand washing, safe water storage and good sanitation practices.
- Basic infrastructure: Adequate distribution and sanitation systems.
- Alternative technologies: Innovative solutions that do not rely on public networks or contaminated sources.
GENAQ: an innovative solution
The technology developed by GENAQ allows drinking water to be generated directly from the air, offering an effective solution to break the link between water and disease in vulnerable regions.
Through a process of condensation, filtration and purification, the atmospheric generators convert ambient humidity into ready-to-drink water, without relying on rivers, wells or traditional systems.
This represents a real alternative, especially for remote regions, vulnerable communities or environments where access to water is limited or insecure. Moreover, as an autonomous and sustainable solution, it avoids the transport and storage of water, reducing the risk of contamination.
Access to safe drinking water as a fundamental right for health
Health cannot be guaranteed without safe water. Recognised by the United Nations as a human right, access to safe water is essential for living in dignity and realising one’s full human potential. Understanding the impact of water on health and how it influences the onset of disease is key to driving change.
In a world where technology allows us to constantly innovate, it is unacceptable that millions of people are still falling ill from a preventable cause. GENAQ is committed to transforming this reality, offering efficient, sustainable and scalable solutions that ensure pure water, where it is most needed, and contribute to reducing the link between water and disease.
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