ENGINEERING WATER DISTRIBUTION

Why Purify Water?

 

According to the WHO, about 80% of illnesses in developing countries are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions. Contaminated water is a leading cause of diarrhoea which is the cause of over 8% of deaths in Southeast Asia and Africa. Among those under 5 years old, it is the cause of death in 20% of cases worldwide. In actual numbers this means around 2.2 million people, most of them children (WHO, 2000). Not all diseases cause diarrhoea though, but organ damage, skin infections and malnutrition instead. Clean and safe water is therefore crucial to healthy living.

 

Disease from contaminated water is caused by a multitude of bacterial, viral and parasitic “organisms”. A special concern is water contaminated with human faeces. Below, there are examples of waterborne diseases with their source and some of their symptoms.

 

• Cholera

  • Source: Bacteria in water

  • Symptoms: Very watery diarrhoea, rapid pulse, vomiting. Can cause death within 12-18 hours

  • Cause: Bacterial

• Dysentery

  • Source: Bacteria in water

  • Symptoms: Passing faeces with blood, vomiting blood

  • Cause: Bacterial

• Typhoid fever

  • Source: Water contaminated with faeces

  • Symptoms: High fever, sweating, diarrhoea, spleen and liver enlargement

  • Cause: Bacterial

• Salmonella

  • Source: Bacteria in water

  • Symptoms: Diarrhoea, fever, vomiting, cramps

  • Cause: Bacterial

• E-coli

  • Source: Bacteria in water

  • Symptoms: Diarrhoea mainly

  • Cause: Bacterial

• Botulism

  • Source: Untreated water

  • Symptoms: Difficulty swallowing, muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhoea. Death is usually caused by respiratory failure

  • Cause: Bacterial

• Amoebiasis

  • Source: Sewage and flies in water, untreated water

  • Symptoms: Diarrhoea, fever, bloating, cramps

  • Cause: Protozoan

• Giardiasis

  • Source: Untreated water

  • Symptoms: Diarrhoea, bloating, cramps

  • Cause: Protozoan

• Roundworms

  • Source: Stagnant water containing larvae

  • Symptoms: Allergic reaction, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, asthma

  • Cause: Parasitic

• Tapeworms

  • Source: Drinking water contaminated with eggs or faeces

  • Symptoms: Depends on type of e.g. intestinal disturbances, neurologic manifestations, abdominal pain, severe weight loss, itching around the anus, liver enlargement, hydatid cysts press on bile duct and blood vessels; if cysts rupture they can cause anaphylactic shock

  • Cause: Parasitic

• Polio

  • Source: Water contaminated with faeces

  • Symptoms: Can cause paralysis and death

  • Cause: Virus

• Hapatitis A

  • Source: Untreated water

  • Symptoms: Diarrhoea, fever, vomiting, cramps, depression

  • Cause: Virus