How Contamination-Free Water Promises A Better Life For Communities
Life without access to clean water is hard to imagine for Americans. But billions of people across the globe struggle with the situation only because they live in underdeveloped areas. You probably take things for granted, but the concern is grave for people missing the boon of clean and safe drinking supplies. The Camp Lejeune disaster was an eye-opener in this context, as it made the government and the public realize the significance of clean drinking water.
Many veterans, their families, and other residents at the camp suffered due to contaminated supplies in the area. Their suffering continues even decades later, with survivors battling diseases and family members mourning the loss of loved ones. Clearly, contamination-free drinking water is vital for everyone. Let us explain how it promises a better life for communities.
Sustainable development
Sustainable development is about fulfilling the needs of the communities without depleting natural resources for the next generations. Providing access to a clean water supply and adequate sanitation of one of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN in 2015. Ensuring the fulfillment of the goal is the key to a better life for communities in all parts of the world, including underdeveloped countries. So it is definitely crucial for nations that need to do their bit to make it possible.
Socioeconomic growth
Surprisingly, access to clean drinking supplies can propel the socioeconomic growth of communities. Lack of clean water is an indication of poverty and low productivity because people in such areas end up spending hours collecting water every day. It prevents them from engaging in activities that generate livelihood. Likewise, children are likely deprived of education because they also focus on the same task. The overall social and economic development suffers, and communities do not get opportunities to uplift them. However, the provision of clean drinking supplies can resolve the problem and ensure better economic opportunities and social development.
Health and survival
Contaminants and toxins in drinking water supplies can lead to severe diseases and even death. Statistics show that millions of people have suffered due to toxin exposure over the years. Even developed nations like the US came across disasters like Camp Lejeune toxin exposure due to government negligence. While victims can collaborate with expert Camp Lejeune contamination attorneys to claim compensation, the pain and suffering of battling a fatal disease or losing a loved one persists. Without access to clean water, communities have no option but to use contaminated supplies. Even worse, they may not know about the toxins as in the Camp Lejeune disaster. The only way to address the concern is to ensure clean supplies.
Mental well-being
Beyond physical health, access to clean water also supports the mental well-being of communities. The stress of carrying gallons of water every day is hard to deal with. Moreover, the challenge is even more daunting when one knows that their loved ones are exposed to contaminants every day, all because the drinking supplies are laced with pollutants and chemicals. But clean water can resolve these challenges for good and build a happy and thriving community in the long run.
Healthy ecosystems
Besides ensuring human well-being, clean water facilitates healthy ecosystems, including other living organisms and non-living environments, such as soil and plants in the area. You can imagine the consequences of bathing in toxic water, consuming contaminated aquatic and seafood supplies, and ingesting food grown from polluted soil. Contamination can even affect the weather by polluting rainwater. Each part of the ecosystem is essential to its health, productivity, and sustainability, and water is no exception.
Optimal food production
Clean water is also linked with food production. When communities do not have access to clean supplies, they resort to irrigating and growing crops with untreated wastewater. It can contaminate the food they grow, and consumers bear the brunt of consuming toxic fruits, vegetables, and cereals. The impact may not surface immediately, but people suffer from stealthy diseases like various types of cancer. Pregnancy-related issues like miscarriages, birth defects, and low birth weight are also rampant due to prolonged exposure to toxins in food and water.
Hydration is the mainstay of good health, but it takes more than just drinking adequate water. Ensuring clean supplies is equally crucial because toxins and chemicals do more harm than good. They cause dire health hazards and affect the mental well-being of people over time. Governments should take measures to do their bit because these steps can lead to healthy and productive communities that strengthen countries in the long run.
