37 Introduction to WASH

Imagine drinking water from your tap, confident it is safe, only to later find out it is contaminated with harmful bacteria or chemicals. For millions of people around the world, this is an unfortunate reality. WASH—Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene—is a critical framework designed to address these challenges. It focuses on ensuring access to clean water, proper sanitation, and effective hygiene practices. In this project, we will concentrate specifically on water quality, one of the key pillars of WASH, and its profound impact on public health. (CK)

Contaminated water, whether due to harmful bacteria, chemicals, or pollutants, can lead to serious waterborne diseases like diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid fever. These diseases remain leading causes of illness and death globally. Unsafe water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene practices contribute to over 1.4 million deaths every year, with children being disproportionately affected—273,000 child deaths from diarrhea alone occurred in 2019 (World Health Organization, 2019). (CK)

In our project, we will examine water quality from two perspectives: drinking water and agricultural water sources. Contamination in both areas poses significant risks to human health and food security. We will explore the policies, regulations, and practices aimed at managing and protecting water sources. By understanding these elements, we hope to highlight the urgent need for improvements in water quality to protect vulnerable communities. (CK)