Water + Sanitation

Why is water important?

Essential for health, ecosystems, poverty reduction, dignity.

What percent of Earth’s water is freshwater?

3%

How much of freshwater is frozen?

70% (glaciers/ice caps).

What water is actually usable?

Liquid + surface + fresh.

Chemical structure of water

H₂O, polar molecule.

Why is water a universal solvent?

Polarity allows it to dissolve many substances.

How much of the human body is water?

~80% water.

How much water is in the human daily metabolic need?

~700 mL minimum.

Why must water constantly cycle?

Maintains cellular and extracellular balance.

Largest liquid surface freshwater source?

Lake Baikal (~20% global supply).

Largest group of freshwater lakes?

Great Lakes (~20% global supply).

Where is most freshwater stored?

Antarctica (~70% freshwater).

What happened to the Aral Sea?

Shrinking due to irrigation diversion + climate change.

Largest global water use

Agriculture

What is an aquifer?

Underground water-bearing rock/sediment layer.

What is recharge

Refilling groundwater (natural or artificial).

Major aquifers?

Guarani, Grand Artesian, Ogallala.

Risk to Ogallala?

Slow recharge → depletion threat.

“Basic” drinking water means?

Improved source + <30 min collection time.

Global coverage for basic drinking water?

~90% have at least basic access.

Drinking water burden in LMICs?

Women/children spend hours collecting water.

“basic” sanitation means?

Improved facility not shared with other households.

Examples of sanitation?

Flush toilet, VIP latrine, pit latrine with slab, composting toilet.

Why is sanitation critical?

Prevents fecal-oral disease transmission.

How many child deaths from water-related disease?

~1.4 million.

Major water-related diseases?

Diarrhea, cholera, helminths, schistosomiasis, trachoma.

The Five F’s for fecal-oral transmission?

• Fluid

• Feces

• Fingers

• Food

  • Flies

What is the most effective prevention tool for fecal-oral transmission?

Handwashing

What did the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) emphasize?

Poverty reduction + infrastructure + sanitation.

SDG 6 focuses on?

Clean water and sanitation by 2030.

Why is water a human rights issu?

Central to dignity, gender equity, child survival, and development.

Core takeaway?

Safe water + sanitation + hygiene (WASH) are foundational to all global health progress.