clean drinking water essay

Clean Water

Clean and safe water is essential for good health. how did access change over time where do people lack access.

Access to clean water is one of our most basic human needs.

But, one in four people in the world do not have access to safe drinking water. This is a major health risk. Unsafe water is responsible for more than a million deaths each year.

In this article, we look at data on access to safe water and its implications for health worldwide.

Unsafe water is a leading risk factor for death

Unsafe water sources are responsible for over one million deaths each year.

Unsafe water is one of the world's largest health and environmental problems – particularly for the poorest in the world .

The Global Burden of Disease is a major global study on the causes and risk factors for death and disease published in the medical journal The Lancet . These estimates of the annual number of deaths attributed to a wide range of risk factors are shown here.

Lack of access to safe water sources is a leading risk factor for infectious diseases, including cholera, diarrhea , dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio . 1 It also exacerbates malnutrition and, in particular, childhood stunting . In the chart, we see that it ranks as a very important risk factor for death globally.

The global distribution of deaths from unsafe water

In low-income countries, unsafe water sources account for a significant share of deaths.

Globally, unsafe water sources account for a few percent of deaths.

In low-income countries, it accounts for around twice as many deaths .

In the map here, we see the share of annual deaths attributed to unsafe water across the world.

When we compare the share of deaths attributed to unsafe water either over time or between countries, we are not only comparing the extent of water access but its severity in the context of other risk factors for death. Clean water's share depends not only on how many die prematurely from it but also on what else people are dying from and how this is changing.

Death rates are much higher in low-income countries

Death rates from unsafe water sources give us an accurate comparison of differences in mortality impacts between countries and over time. In contrast to the share of deaths that we studied before, death rates are not influenced by how other causes or risk factors for death are changing.

In this map, we see death rates from unsafe water sources across the world. Death rates measure the number of deaths per 100,000 people in a given country or region.

What becomes clear is the large differences in death rates between countries: rates are high in lower-income countries, particularly across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Rates here are often greater than 50 deaths per 100,000 people.

Compare this with death rates across high-income countries: across Europe, rates are below 0.1 deaths per 100,000. That’s a greater than 1000-fold difference.

The issue of unsafe water sources is, therefore, one that is largely limited to low- and lower-middle-income countries.

We see this relationship clearly when we plot death rates versus income, as shown here . There is a strong negative relationship: death rates decline as countries get richer.

Access to safe drinking water

What share of people have access to safe drinking water.

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 6.1 is to: “achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all” by 2030.

Almost three-quarters of the world's population uses to a safely managed water source . One in four people does not use a safe drinking water source.

In the next chart, we see the breakdown of drinking water use globally and across regions and income groups. We see that in countries with the lowest incomes, less than one-third of the population uses safely managed water. Most live in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The world has made progress in recent years. Unfortunately, this has been very slow. In 2015 (at the start of the SDGs), around 70% of the global population had safe drinking water. This has slowly increased over recent years.

If progress continues at these slow rates, we will not reach the target of universal equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water by 2030.

In the map shown, we see the share of people across the world using safe drinking water facilities.

How many people do not have access to safe drinking water?

In the map shown, we see the number of people across the world who do not use safe drinking water facilities.

Improved water sources

What share of people do not use an improved water source.

The definition of an improved drinking water source is: “...those that have the potential to deliver safe water by nature of their design and construction, and include: piped water, boreholes or tubewells, protected dug wells, protected springs, rainwater, and packaged or delivered water.” Note that usage of drinking water from an improved source does not ensure that the water is safe or adequate, as these characteristics are not tested at the time of the survey. However, improved drinking water technologies are more likely than those characterized as unimproved to provide safe drinking water and to prevent contact with human excreta.

In the map shown, we see the share of people across the world who do not use improved water sources.

In the map shown, we see the number of people across the world who do not use an improved water source.

What determines levels of clean water usage?

Usage of improved water sources increases with income.

The visualization shows the relationship between usage of improved water sources versus gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. We see that there is a general link between income and improved water source usage.

Typically, most countries with greater than 90% of households with improved water have an average GDP per capita of more than $10,000 to 15,000. Those at lower incomes tend to have a larger share of the population without access.

Although income is an important determinant, the range of levels of usage that occur across countries of similar prosperity further supports the suggestion that there are other important governance and infrastructural factors that contribute.

Rural households often lag behind in improved water usage

In addition to the large inequalities in improved water usage between countries, there can also be large differences within countries. In the charts, we plotted the share of the urban versus rural population with usage of improved water sources and safely managed drinking water, respectively. Here, we have also shown a line of parity; if a country lies along this line, then access in rural and urban areas is equal.

Since nearly all points lie above this line, with very few exceptions, usage of improved water sources is greater in urban areas relative to rural populations. This may be partly attributed to an income effect; urbanization is a trend strongly related to economic growth. 2

The infrastructural challenges of developing municipal water networks in rural areas are also likely to play an important role in lower usage levels relative to urbanized populations.

Definitions

Improved water source : "Improved drinking water sources are those that have the potential to deliver safe water by nature of their design and construction, and include: piped water, boreholes or tubewells, protected dug wells, protected springs, rainwater, and packaged or delivered water"

Usage of drinking water from an improved source does not ensure that the water is safe or adequate, as these characteristics are not tested at the time of the survey. However, improved drinking water technologies are more likely than those characterized as unimproved to provide safe drinking water and prevent contact with human excrement.

Safely managed drinking water: "Safely managed drinking water" is defined as an "Improved source located on premises, available when needed, and free from microbiological and priority chemical contamination."

'Basic' drinking water source: an "Improved source within 30 minutes round trip collection time."

'Limited' drinking water source: "Improved source over 30 minutes round trip collection time."

' Unimproved' drinking water source: "Unimproved source that does not protect against contamination."

'No service': access to surface water only.

WHO (2023) – Fact sheet – Sanitation. Updated September 2023. Online here .

Spence, M., Annez, P. C., & Buckley, R. M. (2009). Urbanization and growth: commission on growth and development . Available online .

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The future is equal

Why is clean water important?

Safe water, sanitation, and hygiene save lives during emergencies and in the long-term struggle against poverty.

When a sustained drought in southern Ethiopia in 2017 killed all of Amina Ibrahim’s sheep, goats, and camels, it was an economic crisis for her family. Then the lack of safe drinking water became an even bigger threat. People in her village started drinking whatever water they could find, got sick (most likely from cholera, but Ibrahim could not say for sure), and started dying.

“I thought I would die also,” the 50-year-old mother of 12 said later. She and her family fled to a nearby town where Oxfam and the Ethiopian government provided clean water, decent latrines, and cash-for-work projects so she could buy some food.

Like Ibrahim, more than 2 billion people in the world lack a source of safe water at home, and as many as 4.5 billion don’t have a safe sanitation system either, according to the UN. It’s a crisis during emergencies, especially the current COVID-19 pandemic . But the long-term effects of unequal access to clean water and decent sanitation in people’s day-to-day lives are also a major contributor to poverty. That’s why the UN highlights World Water Day each year, and why water, sanitation, and hygiene are priorities for Oxfam’s work--which supporters like you make possible.

Clean water saves lives

Any conflict or emergency that drives people from their homes and forces them to gather in places with no safe drinking water or sanitation systems creates conditions that are ripe for water-borne diseases.

Cholera is one of the most severe diseases: When about a million Rwandans fled violence to eastern Congo in 1994, there were as many as 60,000 (some estimate 80,000) cases of cholera. Within about a month, more than 40,000 people died. In Yemen, more than six years of conflict has so severely damaged water systems that the country has endured a multi-year cholera epidemic that has killed thousands .

Oxfam helps reduce the threat of diseases in emergencies by providing clean water. With partners, we treat local water sources, or bring water to areas hosting refugees and displaced people by truck, store it in tanks and bladders, and set up pipes and taps to dispense it. We dig and repair wells , and train people to maintain them, so that after the emergency passes communities have a safe source of water.

Oxfam works with engineers to repair municipal water systems damaged in conflicts and earthquakes. After bombings in the Gaza Strip damaged water desalination plants in 2020, for example, Oxfam provided the chemicals needed to get them up and running. We also build systems to purify water where needed.

Promoting good hygiene is also essential, especially during a pandemic. Oxfam partners train community leaders to encourage handwashing at critical moments. We provide hygiene kits with soap, water purification tablets, and other necessities that help people displaced by emergencies keep clean and avoid cholera outbreaks and COVID-19.

Safe sanitation is also crucial. Oxfam helps install latrines where people need them and ensures they are sited appropriately for women to access safely (installing solar lights if needed). Oxfam helped build about 8,000 latrines in the months following the 2015 earthquake in Nepal . After more than 800,000 Rohingya people fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh in 2017, Oxfam worked with the UN and people seeking refuge in camps to build a massive sewage treatment plant that processes waste from 150,000 people .

Clean water fights poverty

The lack of clean water kills people every day, and water-borne diseases and parasites are a significant hardship . Children under 5 are the most vulnerable. Diarrheal diseases are among the most common causes of mortality for children under 5 , and can be easily prevented with clean water, decent sanitation, basic hygiene, and nutritious food.

A convenient source of water can also be a major improvement in the lives of women and girls, who are frequently tasked with carrying water home many times per day. Many girls and young women are deprived an education, just to carry water. This relegates them to an early marriage and limits their prospects of employment.

By helping communities improve their access to clean water and basic sanitation, and promoting good hygiene, Oxfam and the many organizations we partner with make an important contribution to fighting inequality, eliminating at least some of the time women have to spend carrying water, reducing health care costs, and improving the educational prospects of their daughters .

Water for livestock and growing food

Water is becoming more and more scarce in some parts of the world due to climate change . For example, in Central America’s Dry Corridor, an arid zone cutting across five countries, farmers are struggling to grow enough food to survive. In 2019, Oxfam provided cash and food aid to communities in Guatemala’s southern Chiquimula region at a time when farmers had not seen any consistent rain for four years.

Lucas Aldana used the cash to plant corn and beans, and says “I bought a hose to improve my mini-irrigation system so that the plants … don’t dry up.”

Oxfam has helped communities around the world with irrigation systems for farmers , water reservoirs to support livestock herders, and training to help communities manage their watersheds and forests to reduce erosion, improve soil quality, and replenish ground water.

You can help provide clean water, sanitation, and basic hygiene tools for people in emergencies and fight poverty in more than 90 countries.

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ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

Sustainable development goal 6: clean water and sanitation.

The Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to work toward a sustainable and poverty-free world by 2030. Goal 6, in particular, seeks to ensure that people have access to clean water and adequate sanitation services worldwide.

Biology, Health, Conservation

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The members of the United Nations (UN) adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. These 17 goals are designed to unite nations in the common cause of ensuring the general welfare of all humans by the year 2030. These goals include a focus on ending poverty, tackling climate change , and maintaining high standards of resources.

SDG 6 focuses on ensuring a clean and stable water supply and effective water sanitation for all people by the year 2030. The goal is a reaction to the fact that many people throughout the world lack these basic services. About 40 percent of the world’s population is affected by a lack of water. As global temperatures rise, that total is expected to increase. Already, some of the poorest countries in the world are affected by drought , resulting in famine and malnutrition . Throughout the world, about 1.7 billion people live in a watershed where water is used faster than the watershed can be replenished. According to some estimates, if such trends continue, one in four people, or more, might experience water shortages on a regular basis by the year 2050.

Compounding the problem of water scarcity is the lack of reliable sanitation throughout the world. More than two billion people worldwide lack basic sanitation services, such as simple latrines or toilets. More than 890 million of those people live in regions where “open defecation” occurs. This means that human waste is left in the open. Adding to the issue is the fact that 80 percent of wastewater throughout the planet is emptied into the ocean or rivers without proper waste removal.

Alarmed by these problems, the UN established SDG 6 in an effort to make adequate sanitation and water services available to all people by the year 2030. As many as 800 million people, or more, would require the construction of facilities to provide consistent clean water and waste removal. To succeed in their vision, the UN developed a series of targets. These targets include restoring and protecting river ecosystems throughout the world, eliminating sources of water pollution , and increasing international cooperation to bring services throughout the world.

In an effort to reach the targets outlined by SDG 6, some water companies have installed smart meters in places where water scarcity is a concern. These meters track and charge for every drop of water used in a household, which has led to higher water conservation in countries like The Gambia and Tanzania. The CEO of one such company, eWATERpay, claims that these meters have reduced water waste by 99 percent.

Such efforts take time and require many countries to work together. While some strides have been made, based on information from a 2017 UN study, not enough has been done to ensure that this goal will be met by 2030. Managing these targets properly is the only way to make certain all people will benefit from clean water and effective sanitation in the years ahead.

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Why Is Water So Important? Here’s What You Need to Know

How water works in your body, how much water do you need, how to stay hydrated.

Water is a major component of your body, accounting for 50–60% of your total weight. It is vital for many important body functions, from flushing out waste to lubricating your joints.

Your body constantly loses water throughout the day through urinating, sweating, and breathing. You should consume enough water from foods and beverages daily to prevent dehydration .

This article covers research-backed reasons why your body needs water and how much you need each day.

Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images

All body cells, organs, and tissues require water to function. Generally, a person can only survive without water for a few days.

It Maintains a Normal Body Temperature

Water regulates our internal temperature by distributing heat throughout the body and cooling it through perspiration (sweat).

When the body becomes too hot, it loses water through sweat . The evaporation of sweat from the skin cools the body, keeping its temperature within a normal range.

If a person becomes dehydrated, they can't produce enough sweat to cool their body. This can cause the body's temperature to reach dangerous levels, leading to heat stroke .

Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water if you're working outside or sweating more than usual.

It Protects Your Joints, Spinal Cord, and Other Tissues

Water acts as a lubricant in the mouth (through saliva ) and the eyes (through tears) to help prevent dryness. It's necessary to produce synovial fluid , which lubricates, cushions, and protects the joints.

Water also helps protect the spinal cord and prevents injuries by increasing tissue flexibility and elasticity.

It Transports Nutrients and Gets Rid of Waste

As a major component of blood, water helps transport nutrients and oxygen to cells throughout the body. Water also helps carry waste from the body for excretion through perspiration, urination, and bowel movements.

The kidneys need water to effectively filter waste from the blood and flush it from the body as urine. Staying adequately hydrated helps prevent kidney stones and urinary tract infections (UTIs) , which can harm the kidneys.

Prevents Dehydration

Drinking water daily can help prevent dehydration, a condition that occurs when you lose more fluids than you absorb.

Early signs of dehydration include:

Feeling thirsty
Dark-colored urine
Urinating less than usual

Because water is involved in so many body functions, dehydration can eventually cause life-threatening symptoms, including:

Rapid breathing
Rapid heartbeat
Inability to urinate

People who exercise in the heat, work outdoors, or have certain health conditions that cause them to urinate or sweat more than usual are at a greater risk of dehydration.

It Aids Digestion

Your saliva is primarily made up of water. Saliva is a digestive juice that moistens food, allowing it to move easily through the esophagus into your stomach. Saliva also contains enzymes that help break down starches in food.

As the digestive process continues, water helps break down food, allowing your body to absorb nutrients. Water also makes bowel movements easier.

It Protects Against Chronic Illness and Boosts Longevity

Adequate hydration is linked to healthy aging and longevity. One potential reason for this is that decreased water intake can lead to higher sodium concentrations in the blood, which raises the risk of chronic disease.

Studies suggest that adults who stay hydrated are healthier and less likely to develop chronic diseases, including heart and lung disease . Well-hydrated adults also seem to live longer than adults who don't consume enough fluids.

It Improves Mood and Cognitive Function

Dehydration may cause fatigue and confusion and may be linked to symptoms of anger and depression. In a small study, it was linked to poor cognitive function, potentially affecting attention span and working memory.

One study of young adults looked at the effects of water on cognitive performance and mood after 12 hours of water restriction. Researchers found that 200 milliliters of water improved thirst, anger, fatigue, and overall mood. However, 500 milliliters was optimal, improving mood and cognitive performance.

The amount of water you need depends on several factors, including age, sex, activity level, and health status.

For healthy individuals, the adequate daily water intake is around 11.5 cups for women and about 15.5 cups for men. This includes fluids consumed from all foods and beverages.

Experts estimate that most people get around 20% of their daily water intake from food. This means women should drink about 9 cups of fluid daily, while men should aim for 13 cups to maintain adequate hydration.

People who live in warmer climates, are more physically active, or are experiencing an illness that causes fever and/or diarrhea or vomiting have increased fluid needs.

One easy way to see if you are properly hydrated is to check the color of your urine. If you are drinking enough water, your urine will be pale yellow. If it is dark, you may need to increase your consumption.

Individuals with heart failure or kidney disease may need to limit their fluid intake.

Can You Drink Too Much Water?

Drinking too much water can lead to water intoxication or overhydration, which occurs when the kidneys cannot flush out excess water. This can cause a medical emergency due to decreased sodium concentrations in the blood ( hyponatremia ). To avoid water intoxication, do not drink more than 48 ounces, or six cups, per hour.

If you find it challenging to stay hydrated, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

Keep a reusable water bottle with you and refill it throughout the day
Choose water or sparkling water instead of sugary beverages
When you feel thirsty, drink water
Change things up by squeezing fresh lemon or lime into your water or adding a few berries or cucumber slices
Snack on water-rich fruits and vegetables , including watermelon, cantaloupe, lettuce, and celery, throughout the day
Keep track of your water intake by using a water tracker app
Drink water with all meals

Water is vital for your health. It is necessary for temperature regulation, digestion, nutrient absorption, and body waste removal. Drinking water daily can prevent dehydration, a condition that can cause mood and memory problems, constipation, and kidney stones.

People who work in high temperatures, exercise at high intensities, or are sick are at a greater risk of dehydration. Talk to a healthcare provider or registered dietitian to determine the right amount of water for you.

Zhou HL, Wei MH, Cui Y, et al. Association between water intake and mortality risk-evidence from a national prospective study . Front Nutr . 2022;9:822119. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.822119

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. How much water do you need?

MaineDOT. The importance of hydration .

Johns Hopkins Medicine. Dehydration and heat stroke .

Lorenzo I, Serra-Prat M, Yébenes JC. The role of water homeostasis in muscle function and frailty: a review . Nutrients . 2019;11(8):1857. doi:10.3390/nu11081857

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Water and healthier drinks .

National Kidney Foundation. 6 tips to be "water wise" for healthy kidneys .

MedlinePlus. Dehydration .

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Your digestive system & how it works .

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Eating, diet, & nutrition for constipation .

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Good hydration linked to healthy aging .

Zhang J, Zhang N, He H, et al. Different amounts of water supplementation improved cognitive performance and mood among young adults after 12 h water restriction in Baoding, China: a randomized controlled trial (RCT) . Int J Environ Res Public Health . 2020;17(21):7792. doi:10.3390/ijerph17217792

National Kidney Foundation. The dos and don'ts of fluid management for kidney disease .

MedlinePlus. Heart failure .

Joo MA, Kim EY. Hyponatremia caused by excessive intake of water as a form of child abuse . Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab . 2013;18(2):95-98. doi:10.6065/apem.2013.18.2.95

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heat stress: hydration .

By Lindsey DeSoto, RD, LD Lindsey Desoto is a registered dietitian with experience working with clients to improve their diet for health-related reasons. She enjoys staying up to date on the latest research and translating nutrition science into practical eating advice to help others live healthier lives.

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v.5(1); 2021 Jan

A Global Challenge: Clean Drinking Water

Xiuqiang li.

1 Department of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science, Duke University, Durham NC, 27708 USA

Hui Ying Yang

2 Engineering Product Development Pillar, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore 487372 Singapore

Water is an essential element for life. A minimum of 5L/day of drinking water is required for a person to survive with normal activities. [ 1 ] Currently, 2.1 billion people globally have limited access to safe drinking water. Additionally, about 6% of deaths in underdeveloped countries are caused by drinking unsafe water. [ 2 ] To address water scarcity, the research community has proposed a variety of solutions to alleviate the drinking water crisis, such as solar desalination, reverse osmosis (RO), atmospheric water harvesting, and capacitive deionization technology (CDI). However, the high energy consumption, low efficiency and/or high production cost of these technologies greatly hinder the future development of these devices. However, with the development of material science and nanotechnology, some profound changes are taking places in these technologies. This special issue features four review papers and three research papers that focus on solar desalination, atmospheric water harvesting and CDI for clean drinking water, which aim to further promote the development of related technologies.

Direct solar desalination, which produces freshwater directly using solar energy with minimum carbon footprint, is considered to be one of the most promising technologies to alleviate the water shortage crisis. However, the traditional bulk water heating method is inefficient (≈40%). Recently, interfacial solar vapor/steam generation has been proposed to improve heat localization at the liquid surface and has achieved ≈90% solar‐to‐vapor conversion efficiency under 1 Sun. In this special issue, a review paper contributed by Irshad et al. (article number 2000055) systematically summarizes the progress of solar vapor/steam generation and constructively points out the key directions of future research. As mentioned in this review, the long‐term stability of absorbers is still a challenging issue. Zhuang et al. (article number 2000053) and Gu et al. (article number 2000063) demonstrate two advanced materials, reduced graphene oxide hydrogel membranes and three‐dimensional honeycomb chitosan‐based aerogels, which exhibit long‐term stability without compromising the water evaporation rate (> 1.7 kg m −2 h −1 ). These represent competitive materials for salt‐resistant absorbers. Meanwhile, an impressive work hoping to thoroughly solve the problem of salt‐rejecting of absorbers is presented by Bian et al. (article number 2000077) who select a highly efficient selective absorber and use convection between the selective absorber and water to heat the water (the absorber was suspended above the water instead of traditional direct contact). The results show that the evaporation efficiency is able to reach 1.94 kg m −2 h −1 . Additionally, it is worth noting that the advantages of the regulation and utilization of infrared light have been reported recently, with the use of selective absorbers to obtain higher efficiency, and the use of radiative cooling to enhance condensation, etc., becoming a key focus for researchers. In this special issue, Li et al. (article number 2000058) offer a fundamental understanding of spectrum design, alongside a discussion of recent progress and future directions of for this research.

Atmospheric water harvesting, which captures the moisture from air and then condenses the captured moisture into liquid water, is a promising technology to resolve the water crisis in arid regions. Compared with traditional inorganic salts, zeolites, etc., recently developed materials, such as MOFs/COFs and hydrogels, are demonstrated to have lower desorption energy and/or humidity adsorption. In this special issue, Zhuang et al. (article number 2000085) contribute a review paper to discuss and provide a perspective regarding various atmospheric water harvesting technologies, especially for solar atmospheric water harvesting with the above‐mentioned advanced materials. In addition, CDI technology is also a competitive technology that uses electrode materials to extract positive and negative ions in the feed solution to achieve water purification. Liu et al. (article number 2000054) review various sodium‐ion intercalation materials as highly efficient CDI electrodes, and provide some instructive perspectives. We believe that these papers will be helpful for both the research and industrial community to achieve new milestones and to shape future research directions.

As United Nations Development Programme 6 mentions, [ 3 ] with the increase of drought and desertification, more and more countries will suffer from water shortages. By 2050, it is predicted that at least one in four people will suffer from recurring water shortages. Herein, learning from the perspectives of the authors in this special issue, we believe that more efficient devices based on new mechanisms, new materials, and new structures should be developed. In addition, the stability and price of the devices need to be considered in the long‐term research and industrial plan. The community should also actively communicate and collaborate with industry and the public to apply these advanced technologies into practice to alleviate the drinking water challenges of the future.

Contributor Information

Xiuqiang Li, Email: [email protected] .

Hui Ying Yang, Email: gs.ude.dtus@gniyiuhgnay .

Providing Access to Clean Water Essay

The shortage of clean water affects millions of people living in different regions of the world. For instance, one can mention Northern Africa and the Middle East since these regions are adversely affected by draughts. Moreover, this problem results in numerous diseases that can take thousands of lives [1]. This is the main reason why this issue should not be overlooked. Additionally, it is important to remember that the lack of clean water impairs the economic development of many countries.

In particular, one can speak about the needs of farmers and industrial enterprises [1]. One should keep in mind that in many cases, this problem is not directly related to climate, since very often people cannot get access to water due to political conflicts and economic difficulties. Overall, this issue is great concern to governmental and non-governmental organizations. These are some of the main details should be considered.

This topic is closely related to engineering since it is necessary to find technological solutions that can make water more accessible. In many cases, the countries, which are affected by this problem, may lack the technologies that can be used for water purification. While working on this problem, engineers will need to consider various factors.

For instance, very often it is necessary to remove a specific contaminant from water, and it is necessarily to design products that can be applied for this particular purpose. Additionally, one should consider such a criterion as cost-effectiveness since these technologies must be affordable to various communities. So, it is possible to say that this problem still presents a challenge to engineers. More importantly, these professionals can develop solutions that can benefit thousands or even millions of people.

Overall, there are several solutions that can be used to alleviate problem. For instance, one can speak about the desalination systems which are based on such a process as reverse osmosis (RO) [2].

The use of RO membrane facilitates the extraction of salt. It is important to remember that this technology has become more cost-effective. At present, the desalination of 1000 gallons of sea water costs approximately $2 [2]. This is why this option should be overlooked by coastal communities that can significantly increase the amount of clean water which is available to them.

Additionally, it is important to consider recycling technologies. In this way, people can increase the amount for water that can be used for industrial production or irrigation [1]. Admittedly, the water recycled in this way may not be suitable for personal uses. However, it can be of immense value to farmers and manufacturing companies that are strongly dependent on the supply of clean water.

Furthermore, the use of nano-membranes can also be useful because they can remove specific pollutants from water [1]. These technologies can be of great use to the communities that struggle with such a problem as water contamination that could have been caused some industrial activities.

Therefore, this discussion indicates that there are effective technological solutions that can increase the accessibility of clean water. Furthermore, in some cases, the cost of applying these technologies has considerably declined. Therefore, they can be of great use to low-income communities. Moreover, one can argue that engineers can work on the technological solutions that can benefit thousands of people. These are the main arguments that can be put forward.

“ Provide access to clean water ,” n.d. Web.
J. Menningmann. “ RO Membrane Technology Advances Improve Global Access to Clean Water ,” n.d. Web.
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1. IvyPanda . "Providing Access to Clean Water." December 18, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/providing-access-to-clean-water/.

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Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Water Pollution — The Issues And Importance Of Clean Water Access

The Issues and Importance of Clean Water Access

Categories: Water Pollution Water Sanitation

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Published: Jan 28, 2021

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Essay on Water Conservation: Samples in 150, 200, 250 Words

Updated on
Oct 17, 2023

What makes you curious to write an essay on water conservation? This life-saving resource is essential for all forms of life on Earth. Water is the essential natural resource present on Earth. Out of the total water present on Earth, 97.5% is salt water and 2.5% is fresh water. 70% of the human body is made of water. But, with the growing population , and climatic crisis , we are facing the urgent need to conserve water.

Water conservation is a hot topic, if you need a sample essay on water conservation then, you are at the right place. In this blog post, we have covered essays on water conservation in 100, 200, and 250 words. So, stay tuned and read further to get some ideas about water conservation!

This Blog Includes:

Essay on water conservation in 100 words, essay on water conservation in 200 words, water scarcity, ways to conserve water.

Water Conservation Essay 250 Words

Water conservation is a crucial step in protecting the environment. It is an important compound that supports life on Earth. The world has been facing water-related disasters due to scarcity of freshwater. 70% of the earth as well as the human body is composed of water, but there is a limited amount of freshwater to use. Owing to the ever-increasing population, climatic changes, global warming, and pollution, the need for the conservation of water is increasing. To do so, it is our fundamental duty to conserve water by planting more trees, managing water plants, storing rainwater, and making smart use of water.

Water scarcity is a critical global issue that needs strict attention when the demand for freshwater exceeds the available supply of water. It can manifest in various ways, including a lack of access to clean drinking water, inadequate water for agriculture and industrial processes, and stressed or depleted natural water sources.

Here are some factors that contribute to water scarcity:

Climate change
Growing population
Global warming
Inefficient water management
Water pollution
Increasing demand
Poor irrigation techniques
Wastage of water, and much more.

Conserving water is crucial to help address water scarcity and ensure a sustainable water supply for both present and future generations. You can contribute individually by taking small measures to conserve water like turning off the tap. Likewise, here are some ways to conserve water:

Drip irrigation technique
Soil management
Plantation of drought-tolerant crops
Apply Mulching
Recycle and reuse water
Rainwater harvesting
Desalination
Spread awareness to conserve water
Donate to the water cleaning campaign
Implement proper water management techniques.

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Essay on Drinking Water

Students are often asked to write an essay on Drinking Water in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Drinking Water

Importance of drinking water.

Water is life’s essential ingredient. Our bodies are about 60% water. Drinking water keeps us hydrated, which is vital for our bodily functions.

Benefits of Drinking Water

Drinking water aids in digestion, nutrient absorption, and maintains body temperature. It also helps in flushing out toxins and keeps our skin healthy.

How Much Water to Drink?

Experts suggest drinking 8-10 glasses of water daily. However, this can vary based on physical activity and climate.

Drinking water is crucial for our health. So, let’s make a habit of consuming enough every day.

Also check:

Advantages and Disadvantages of Drinking Water

250 Words Essay on Drinking Water

The importance of drinking water.

Water is a fundamental element of life. Covering about 70% of the Earth’s surface, it’s also the primary component of the human body. However, the importance of drinking water extends beyond mere existence. It plays a vital role in our physical and mental health, and even in societal development.

Physiological Benefits

Water is the medium of all metabolic processes in the body. It aids in digestion, nutrient absorption, and waste elimination. It regulates body temperature, lubricates joints, and maintains skin health. Dehydration, on the other hand, can lead to fatigue, headaches, and impaired cognitive function.

Mental Health Implications

The brain is approximately 75% water. Hence, adequate hydration is necessary for optimal brain function. Studies suggest that even mild dehydration can affect mood, concentration, and memory. Furthermore, it can exacerbate symptoms of certain mental disorders.

Societal Relevance

Access to clean drinking water is a global concern. It’s not just about health, but also about social equality and economic growth. Water scarcity can lead to conflicts and migration, while waterborne diseases can cripple communities.

In essence, drinking water is not just a basic need, but a cornerstone of human health and societal progress. As we delve deeper into the intricacies of our bodies and societies, the importance of this clear, tasteless liquid becomes even more apparent. We must therefore strive for its conservation and equitable distribution, recognizing it as a critical component of our collective wellbeing.

500 Words Essay on Drinking Water

Introduction.

Water is the essence of life, a fundamental element for all living organisms on Earth. The significance of drinking water cannot be overstated. It is a critical component of our diet, directly linked to our health and wellbeing. This essay will delve into the importance of drinking water, its health benefits, the challenges of water scarcity, and the need for sustainable management of this vital resource.

Water makes up about 60% of the human body, highlighting its role in maintaining bodily functions. It aids in digestion, nutrient absorption, and waste elimination. It also helps regulate body temperature, lubricate joints, and protect sensitive tissues. Dehydration, or the lack of adequate water in the body, can lead to serious health issues such as kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and even cognitive impairment.

Health Benefits of Drinking Water

Drinking sufficient water has numerous health benefits. It boosts skin health and beauty, flushing out toxins and promoting a clear complexion. It aids in weight loss by enhancing metabolism and suppressing appetite. Furthermore, it plays a crucial role in maintaining cardiovascular health by facilitating the flow of oxygen and nutrients in the blood.

Challenges of Water Scarcity

Despite the critical role of water, it is a scarce resource for many. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 2.2 billion people worldwide lack access to safely managed drinking water services. Water scarcity can lead to a range of health issues, including malnutrition and waterborne diseases. It also exacerbates socio-economic disparities, as the poor and marginalized are often the most affected by water scarcity.

Sustainable Water Management

Given the importance and scarcity of water, sustainable water management is imperative. It involves the efficient use of water resources, reducing waste, and promoting conservation. For instance, rainwater harvesting and wastewater treatment can provide alternative sources of water. Additionally, awareness campaigns can educate the public about the importance of water conservation and the dire consequences of wastage.

In conclusion, drinking water is a fundamental human need and a critical component of our health and wellbeing. However, water scarcity is a pressing issue that threatens our ability to meet this basic need. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize sustainable water management, promoting water conservation, and ensuring equitable access to clean, safe drinking water for all. By doing so, we can safeguard our health and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Essay on Clean Water and Sanitation
Essay on Challenges of Clean Water and Their Solutions
Essay on Bottled Water

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Essay on Water for Students and Children

500+ words essay on water.

Water is one of the most important substances for life on earth to function. It is equally important for humans as well as animals. Water does not merely help us survive, but it is significant for our day to day functioning. It has numerous uses when we come to think about it. Majority of our earth is covered with water itself, but, not all of it is safe for consumption. Therefore, it makes it essential for us to utilize this transparent substance chemical wisely. Moreover, if we look at the shortage of water happening in our country, it makes it all the more important to conserve it immediately.

Uses of Water

As we have already said that water has numerous uses, we will see where it is used. This part will most importantly help us realize the importance of water . It will make humans aware of what absence of water in the following areas can do to human life. As India’s main occupation is agriculture, water is exhaustively used here. Irrigation and cattle rearing requires a lot of water. Thus, a lot of farmers’ livelihood depends on it.

Further, industries use water for various purposes. It comes in handy when cooling, manufacturing and transporting several goods. For instance, thermal power plants consume quite a substantial amount of water for their running.

Furthermore, the domestic use of water cannot be left behind. In the day to day life of the common man, water plays a vital role. That is to say, from drinking water to washing utensils, we need water every step of the way.

After that, plants need water to survive and make food. It is one of the main elements which help them grow. Hence, water is extremely important for humans, animals, and plants to survive .

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Do not Waste Water

While water is quite essential and yet so scarce, however, people fail to realize this fact. They waste water with little or no care for the results of this activity. There are various ways in which one can avoid wasting water . To begin with, all households must get their leaking taps checked. They should fix them immediately as every drop is precious.

Similarly, we must choose buckets instead of showers for bathing. This is a very debatable topic and it needs to be settled. Showers waste a lot of water, so people must prefer buckets. This particular habit is quite commonly found in most of the households. People do not turn off their taps while brushing their teeth and washing utensils. Always remember to keep the tap off when doing so.

In addition, encourage rainwater harvesting system in all homes. This can help conserve water like never before.

In short, water is essential for the survival of mankind. But, it is, unfortunately, being waster rapidly. Every citizen and government must come together to tackle this issue. Governments must ensure all areas get water equally. On the other hand, citizens must keep in mind to use it wisely and not waste it unnecessarily.

FAQs on Water

Q.1 State the importance of water.

A.1 Water is of the utmost importance for human and animal life. It gives us water to drink. It also comes in great use for farmers and industries. Even common man requires water for various purposes like drinking, cleaning, bathing and more.

Q.2 List the ways to avoid wastage of water.

A.2 Everyone must avoid wasting water. We can do so by fixing our leaking taps, avoiding showers for bathing, and turning off taps when brushing. Furthermore, we can adopt rainwater harvesting system to conserve water.

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Clean Safe Drinking Water Essay Example

Pages: 4 (1080 words)
Published: December 26, 2016
Type: Essay

Many people living in poverty and not having much of anything like safe places to live let alone clean and safe drinking water which also comes under good health due to drinking and washing in the polluted water it becomes even harder to stay healthy. More than 884 million people suffer from not having the basic clean water that is 3x the United States population. It is mainly places situated in Asia and especially Africa these water problems affect half of humanity but it really takes place I LEDC’S. The lack of safe drinking water is the cause of disease in the world today.

Every day, people die from causes related to contaminated water. And for those who survive, without good health, there is little chance for a normal happy life. Contaminated

water causes 80% of the health problems throughout the world. Much of the reason is because in areas of LEDC’S the only water source for people to wash with and drink from is often badly polluted used by both animals and humans So there is more chance of infection and disease spreading meaning more people will die but those who are born into this crisis will have the same thing going, like the lack of water and having to survive.

The people who are suffering are the women children older people and also those with disabilities. For starts women have to carry water, Water containers usually hold about 20 litres of water, which weigh 20kg. Constantly carrying such heavy weights, commonly on the head, back or hip, has severe health problems . However, it is ill health from the state

of unsafe water and lack of sanitation that causes millions of deaths a year. Providing clean, safe water supplies, effective sanitation and helping communities understand about good hygiene means that these deaths can be prevented.

There is an issue with clean safe drinking water because of the hot climate in places such as Africa & Ghana as well which the environmental causes are but there are also humans that contaminate the water. In hot climates there are certain areas where water is and only to get to that water you need to travel at least 3 or 4 miles and back again but this water is already dirty because of bacteria that enter sewage systems and is still unclean in the less developing countries as well as both animals and humans washing in the rivers and waste getting dumped in there it adds to the ncleanliness of their source of water. Another reason is because of economics not having the money from debt being paid of because of borrowing the money to develop their country it begins a cycle of debt and repayment which will carry on for years if we all don’t contribute to supplying these countries with safe clean drinking water.

What are the issues that arise from people having no access to clean safe drinking water? The issues that arise are diseases, lack of education & death just because of not having safe drinking water. Because of not having that safe drinking water there are diseases and viruses that are carried in the water to the rivers with families then washing and drinking the water it becomes even worse ,

even more dirtier.

From carrying these diseases or viruses you then cannot work or go to school because of this illness affecting you so those people are losing out on their education for their mothers its more the case of carrying the water for such a long time on their heads or hips that they get body deformities like curved backs and the chance they get something from the water children are more affected because living in that environment their immune systems are low especially with toddlers or babies.

The people who are trying to help are organisations such as water aid and the UN by providing campaigns and allowing people to donate their money to the less fortunate to build things such as water pumps and helping those villages to have what basic resources they need to survive. In addition to this fund raisers and shows like comic relief support the people with malaria but can also go to helping them in general which means the obvious factor of providing clean water to drink.

Drought affects some of the world's poorest countries, increasing hunger and malnutrition. Recent developments are Technologies being developed, for instance, to improve recycling of wastewater and sewage treatment so that water can be used for non-personal uses such as industrial purposes. Recycled water could even resupply aquifers. But very effective methods and safeguards are necessary to preserve the safety of recycled water. With that it can be designed to remove specific things that pollute the water while allowing important nutrients to pass through.

A different technological approach to the water problem involves developing strategies for reducing

water use. Agricultural irrigation (to supply things with water) consumes enormous amounts of water; in developing countries, irrigation often exceeds 80 present of total water use. Improved technologies provide crops with water, such as “drip irrigation,” can reduce agricultural water demand. Already some countries have reduced water use substantially with this, but it is not a perfect solution for plant growth because it does not provide enough water to cleanse the soil.

The use of water can be improved in a sustainable way by stopping the massive debts to LEDC’S or at least half the amount so it is payable so that way that country can also help themselves to have clean water with the money that they are saving and with that they can go at a steady pace to paying the money back and it is sustainable because once they are built in areas that it is convenient for people who live there everyone will get safe clean drinking water.

A map to show how many people who are actually suffering from this water crisis is below; As you can see in parts of Asia and Africa from the key on the left they don’t really have fresh clean water but are in the oranges and reds which is water stress and by cutting down on how much water the MEDC’S use then more money will be saved to help the less fortunate and if we keep doing this as well as using the sustainable and new recent ideas of providing people with safe water then this water crisis will eventually be solved.

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Essay Sample on Clean Drinking Water

Limited access to clean drinking water is a major problem in many regions around the world. Statistics indicate that more than 1 billion of global population lack access to safe drinking water. With the expected increase in the world's population, the problem of inadequate access to safe drinking water is likely to worsen. For instance, the current demand for clean water is expected to increase by 40% in 20 years due to the expansion of uses of water in segments such as agriculture, urban population, and industry (Tarrass & Faissal, 2012). As the planet begins to experience the full impact of climate change, the situation can be expected to be more complicated as more and more formally water-rich areas become dry. An increase of dry areas will further stretch the demand of water and water resources in these areas as episodes of water scarcity become more unpredictable. Yet hydrological studies done by Srinivasan (2012) reveal that, despite projections that global population will reach 9 billion by 2050, the planets endowments in renewable freshwater will remain the same. So, where does the problem lie?

As evidenced around the globe, the problem of access to safe water has been engineered by a number of factors. For one, different agents have been associated with aggravating the problem of safe water shortages, and this agency varies across countries. As intimated in the preceding paragraph, increase in population stretches water resources due to expanded in demand in not only for water-related products but also the application of water into various uses in societies. A lack of proper policies from relevant governments only serves to exacerbate the problem (Curry, 2010; Tarrass & Faissal, 2012). However, the crisis of water in the world is not a function of population increase alone. The interplay of different factors generates complex situations that have been responsible for the declining quality of water systems around the globe.

Why there is a Water Crisis

The interaction between human beings and water resource systems has been considered as the greatest contributor to the global water crisis. Hydrological scholarship reveals that utilization of water resources is pegged to the cultural values, historical factors, and political realities of a given jurisdiction. Since human behavior is greatly constrained by the limitations of the natural environment, such scenarios as overutilization of waters resources are likely to be witnessed thereby contributing to shortages of clean and safe water (Srinivasan, 2012).The process of exploiting the natural environment further interacts with the increase in human population to put more pressure on water resource systems.

Water is considered polluted if there is a concentration of chemical substances or pathogens to a level that is unfit for human use. Pollution has been described as the presence of pollutants and pathogens in water bodies in elevated levels making the water unsuitable for bathing, cooking, drinking, and other purposes (Curry, 2010). Invariably, factors such as industrial waste, sewage discharges, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides, among others, have been highlighted as the leading contributors to unsafe water systems (Srinivasan, 2012; Curry, 2010).A group of these factors may combine to pollute water systems. However, individual action in regards to pollution varies from country to country and is, to a large extent, influenced by environmental protection policies of relevant governments (Srinivasan, 2012).As such, pollution of water systems from the agents that have just been highlighted would depend on the how the law, human beings, and the environment relate to each other. The product of this relationship may determine as to whether a given geographical area is more likely to experience pollution than others.

Pollution from industrial waste relates to the sludge and other effluent discharged from industries into water systems that human beings rely on consumption. This problem is widespread in developed nations, especially in leading economies of developing countries. Industrial waste poses a significant threat to supplies of clean water and has been responsible for much of the water crisis in the developed and newly industrialized nations as it accounts for the largest percentage of water pollution (Hanna-Attisha, 2015; Curry, 2010).Lax regulation has been consistently cited as responsible for the continuous discharge of chimerical substances into water bodies of these nations (Srinivasan, 2012). For example, it has been documented that over 25 billion tons of unfiltered pollutants were discharged into water waterways in China in a single year, and the country remains the leading emitter of pollutants globally (Curry, 2010).If unregulated, such voluminous discharges could cause extensive water pollution not only to Chinese citizens but also in other countries especially the neighboring nations.

Population increase has led to a rising demand for food. In turn, more land is being irrigated to meet the rising needs of the global community. For instance, Curry (2010) records that between 1950 and 1990, the size of land that was put under irrigation schemes to meet the food demands increased from 94 million hectares to 154 million hectares. In Russia, expanded irrigation projects have led to 66% drop in water volume in the Aral Sea. With the world population anticipated to reach 9 billion by 2050(Srinivasan, 2012), more water suppliers will be put under stress. Besides, expanded agricultural activities have a positive correlation with pesticides and fertilizer pollution and the burning of fossil fuels, especially in developing nations. Other sources of pollutants include mining activities, natural disasters, marine dumping, and oil spills (Curry, 2010).

Categories of Water Contaminants

Pathogenic contaminants

These are micro-organisms that are channeled into the water systems through pollutants such as sewage seepages and flooding. They are parasitic and bacterial organisms which require municipal water treatment so as to prepare the water for human consumption. In the United States, the scarcity of clean water due to the presence of micro-organisms is not a major problem (Curry, 2010). On the flipside, the presence of disease-causing microorganisms in water supplies in developing nations poses several challenges to health care systems (Pandey et al., 2014). According to Curry (2010), this problem has been worsened by the lack of funding, poverty, and agricultural practices that are not sustainable.

Chemical Pollutants

As the literature reviewed in the previous sections of the paper have suggested, this is the primary source of pollution in developed democracies. Radioactive materials such as uranium, radium, and plutonium have identified as a major source of water pollution. Organic contaminants such petroleum products also account for a substantial source of water pollution around the world. Seepage of toxic metals such as lead and copper into water pipes and water systems has been found to be serious polluting agents. Due to the challenges of industrialization in developed nations, this category is a major source of water contamination in these countries (Curry, 2010).It is worth noting, however, that water bodies can be contaminated by naturally-occurring chemical pollutants.

Water pollution can have considerable negative consequences on human health and the ecosystem. A negative impact on the human population and the ecosystem is likely to affect the economic activities of nations in the long-term (Curry, 2010). Evidently, economic development and human health are interrelated but the former does not fall within the confines of this paper, and therefore, the subsequent sections of the paper shall focus on the latter.

Relationship between Water and Health of Human Population

The problems of water contamination in developed nations such as United States, France, Canada, and the UK are markedly different from those experienced in developing nations. As noted earlier, in most developed nations, a large portion of water contamination results from heavy use of fertilizers and industrial waste (Hanna-Attisha, 2015). Although developed nations have designed better mechanisms of dealing with the effects of pollution, there are still a host of cases of water pollution that have been documented. These incidences have been attributed to gaps in coverage of water treatment policies and improper wastewater treatment methods. Additionally, the pervasiveness of the ecological water cycle means that pollution in one country may have a spill-over effect to another (Curry, 2010) thereby making those countries with watertight regulations less immune from pollutants.

Scholars have done an extensive investigation into the relationship between pollution of water bodies and human health. The scarcity of clean water results in poor hygiene and inadequate sanitation in the affected communities. These conditions place a heavy burden of health costs upon communities (Tarrass & Faissal, 2012).For instance, inadequate access to clean and safe water leads to the death of millions of people around the world due to infections from water-related diseases. According to Curry (2010) and Tarrass and Faissal (2012), 1.6 million deaths occur globally due to poor hygiene and inadequate sanitation.25, 000 of the mentioned figure die from consumption of contaminated water. An overwhelming majority of these deaths are recorded in children and women.

In spite of the fewer number of people dying from water contamination, the health issues created by this type of pollution are enormous. Unlike in developing nations where a majority of contamination results in water-borne diseases, pollution in developed countries leads to consumption of heavy metals mostly generated from industrial waste (Hanna-Attisha, 2015; Tarrass & Faissal, 2012, Curry, 2010). In the US, estimates indicate that one in five citizens consumes water that is untreated from industrial waste. However, that this ratio includes the potential for water contamination in the ecological cycle (Curry, 2010).This figure implies that a majority of Americans face the risk of contracting infections that are linked to elevated levels of chemical substances.

Incidents of Water Pollution: The Flint Water Crisis and the Case of Bangladesh

The Flint Water Crisis

Over the last three years, the water crisis in the city of Flint has generated a lot of interest from both scholars and policy makers. This is due to the circumstances that culminated in the occurrence of the crisis. According to Bellinger (2016), the problem occurred when the citys management decided to switch the supply of water from Lake Huron in favor of Flint River in order to save on costs. In a case of managerial lapses, the regulatory corrosion-control treatments in regards to copper and lead were discontinued. Inappropriate treatment of the new source of water further heightened the corrosivity of the water. As such, lead (a highly soluble metal) dissolved into the water and later found its way into the taps of the residents of the city.

For many centuries, lead has been known as a contaminant with far-reaching polluting effects (Bellinger, 2016).During the industrial revolution in the United States, lead was widely included in products. As a result, epidemics arose in many parts of the nation culminating in its elimination from products such as gasoline and paint (Hanna-Attisha, 2015; Bellinger, 2016).In spite of such level of awareness, lead contamination continues to take place in water in systems. For instance, the constant use of lead-laden materials in water infrastructure, changes in water sources, use of water disinfectants has channeled a lot of lead solutions into water systems, resulting in widespread b...

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Salinisation of drinking water ponds and groundwater in coastal Bangladesh linked to tropical cyclones

Tsai, ChiSan
Hoque, Mohammad A.
Vineis, Paolo
Ahmed, Kazi Matin
Butler, Adrian P.

Salinity is a widespread problem along the Asian coast, mainly in reclaimed lands where most people live. These low-lying areas are vulnerable to impacts from tropical cyclone induced storm surges. The role of such surges on the long-term salinity of water resources, particularly the salinisation of drinking water ponds, a key water resource, requires further investigation. Here we show, using high-resolution measurements of pond hydrology and numerical modelling, that episodic inundation events cause the widespread salinisation of surface water and groundwater bodies in coastal areas. Sudden salt fluxes in ponds cause salinity build-up in the underlying sediments and become a source of salinity. Rapid clean-up of drinking ponds immediately after a surge event can significantly minimize these salinity impacts, which are likely to increase under climate change. Our study has implications for coastal land use and water resources management in tropical deltas.

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