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According to the United Nations, improved access to safe water is the most significant factor in alleviating global poverty. Although global issues are complex and require the collaboration of various stakeholders to achieve systemic and long-term change, access to safe water is a fundamental element in addressing these challenges. Providing consistent access to safe water not only leads to immediate relief but also fosters long-term improvements within communities, contributing to better health and economic outcomes. This article examines several of the long-term impacts of access to safe water.

Safe Water Saves Lives

Access to safe water is essential, as it has the potential to save an estimated 1.4 million lives each year, according to the World Health Organization.

Clean water is fundamental to health and well-being and is crucial in reducing mortality rates among infants and young children. Contaminated water is a leading cause of chronic diarrhea, which poses a severe threat to children under five years old. Every year, countless children die from preventable causes related to chronic diarrhea. Studies have shown that access to safe water—particularly piped water—significantly improves survival rates for infants and young children. The connection between access to clean water and declining child mortality rates is undeniable.

So, why is safe water so critical? In low-resource settings, children who are exposed to contaminated water often suffer from diarrhea, leading to dehydration and malnutrition. This creates a vicious cycle where dehydration exacerbates malnutrition, and the lack of healthcare infrastructure and safe water makes recovery nearly impossible. Consequently, mortality rates remain alarmingly high.

While the issue is undeniably complex and multifaceted, one truth remains clear: access to safe water is essential for preventing unnecessary deaths and improving the lives of millions of children worldwide.

Safe Water Ensures Healthy Development for Children

Unsafe water leads to chronic illnesses that hinder children’s physical and cognitive development. Contaminants in unclean water can cause stunting, where a child’s body does not develop properly. Studies have also shown that consistently drinking unsafe water has long-term impacts on the brain with prolonged exposure to unsafe water is linked to long-term neurotoxic effects. By providing clean water, children can grow up healthy, reach their developmental milestones, and enjoy a higher quality of life.

Safe Water Lifts People Out of Poverty

Improved access to water fosters economic growth and reduces poverty. People no longer need to spend hours fetching and purifying water, freeing up time for income-generating activities and education. Families save on medical expenses and reduce missed workdays caused by waterborne illnesses. Access to clean water helps individuals and communities break the cycle of poverty.

Safe Water Promotes Education for Girls

When girls no longer bear the burden of water collection, they can attend school consistently. Educating girls leads to transformative benefits for entire communities. Educated girls are less likely to experience child marriage, have lower fertility rates, and practice better health and hygiene. Higher household incomes and improved community well-being result from educated women participating in the workforce. Education reduces gender-based violence and promotes gender equality. Access to safe water is pivotal to ensuring that girls can achieve their potential and drive community development.

Safe water helps the environment

Access to safe water plays a crucial role in promoting a healthier environment by addressing various interconnected environmental challenges. In communities where safe water is unavailable, people often resort to boiling water for purification. This process frequently involves the collection of firewood, which contributes to widespread deforestation. Deforestation, in turn, leads to habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, and soil erosion. Additionally, the burning of wood releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change.

When communities gain access to safe water, the need for these environmentally harmful practices diminishes. Safe water infrastructure also reduces the reliance on untreated water sources that may contain pollutants. Without proper access, untreated sewage and waste are often disposed of directly into natural bodies of water contributing to water pollution. Proper sanitation and wastewater management associated with access to clean water prevent this, improving the health of water bodies and reducing the strain on natural ecosystems.

Furthermore, access to safe water enables sustainable agricultural practices. Many regions depend on untreated water sources for irrigation, leading to contamination of crops and soils. Clean water for irrigation not only enhances agricultural productivity but also minimizes the use of chemical treatments that could harm the environment.

Conclusion

Consistent access to safe water is much more than a basic need—it is a catalyst for saving lives, fostering health, alleviating poverty, empowering communities, and improving the environment. As a foundational element in achieving global equity, investing in clean water infrastructure is one of the most impactful actions we can take to ensure a healthier, more prosperous future for all.

We’re on a mission to end the global water crisis. We build holistic clean water solutions and spread God’s love in at-risk communities around the world, empowering people not just to survive, but to thrive – physically, socially and spiritually.

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Heidi Johnson

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