6 Things to Know about the Global Wastewater Crisis

Did you know that over 80% of the world's population is affected by water scarcity? And that by 2025, this number is expected to increase to nearly 90%. This means that billions of people around the globe are facing a water crisis. What's even more shocking is that wastewater - dirty water that contains sewage and other pollutants - is one of the biggest contributors to this problem.

Every day, we produce billions of gallons of wastewater. This wastewater comes from our homes, businesses, factories, and agriculture. And every day, this wastewater is released into the environment without being treated properly. As a result, our freshwater resources are being polluted and depleted at an alarming rate.

The good news is that there are things we can do to address this growing crisis. In this blog post, we'll share six things you need to know about the global wastewater crisis. By understanding the problem and what we can do to help, we can all play a role in protecting our planet's precious water resources.

More than 80% of the world's wastewater is released into the environment without being treated first

Our planet's water sustains life in many forms, from the tiniest aquatic creatures all the way up to the largest mammals, and yet too often we forget the importance of maintaining water quality. It is estimated that more than 80% of wastewater produced worldwide is released into the environment without being treated first. This can have devastating consequences for aquatic wildlife, coastal ecosystems, and public health. This wastewater contains a plethora of hazardous chemicals and pollutants, which not only has deeply damaging implications for our environment but for human health as well. The effects of inadequate wastewater treatment are evident already in cases such as algal blooms and other water-related illnesses stemming from contaminated water sources. Urgent action needs to be taken to ensure all wastewater is properly treated before disposal in order to protect our health and the planet. We need to take it more seriously so that we can protect our planet's precious water resources and keep them healthy and balanced for years to come.

This wastewater contains harmful pollutants that can contaminate drinking water sources and cause disease: Children are the most affected

Pollutants contained in wastewater are one of the most common and damaging causes of illness across the world. Children, who have not yet built up their natural defenses, are especially vulnerable to these associated health risks. Contaminated drinking water sources can lead to contamination of food, as well as water-borne diseases like cholera. Wastewater also contains toxins like heavy metals that can cause serious long-term damage if ingested, including learning disabilities and decreased IQ scores in some cases. Studies suggest that untreated wastewater can lead to an increased risk of communicable diseases such as malaria, paratyphoid fever, and diarrhea.

An estimated 297,000 children under the age of five die each year from diarrhea due to unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation, and hand hygiene. Water and sanitation interventions can reduce child deaths from diarrhea by 88 percent.

Because of this, it is crucial to properly address the issue of wastewater not just to safeguard adults, but to protect our nation's youngest and future generations from any potentially harmful effects.

Sanitation is a human right: physical and affordable access to sanitation, in all spheres of life, that is safe, hygienic, secure, socially and culturally acceptable, and that ensures privacy and dignity

Access to proper sanitation is essential in order to protect not only the physical health but also the social, cultural, and economic privileges of individuals. It is a human right that should no longer be met with the absence of action in terms of protection and implementation. The United Nations recognizes this by enforcing that everyone, regardless of status or financial situation, should receive access to basic sanitation needs such as safe and hygienic toilet facilities and wash facets. Not adhering to international human rights law on this matter may lead to far worse economical, social, and cultural outcomes for vulnerable populations that are already suffering from limited resources and high levels of poverty. We are at serious risk of not achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6, to provide water and sanitation for all by 2030. Funding is insufficient, demand is increasing, water pollution is worsening and existing governance structures are often weak and fragmented. We must uphold our responsibility as citizens of this world in order for everyone to realize their fundamental human right: access to sanitation.

Climate change is exacerbating the problem by causing more extreme weather events that lead to flooding and sewage overflows

Climate change is a burning issue that has been affecting daily life in the form of more extreme weather events such as stronger storms and increased flooding. The results of these extreme events are devastating, with damage to homes, infrastructure, and natural habitats. Flooding caused by climate change also often carries wastewater or sewage into local rivers and other bodies of water, causing contaminated drinking water sources and creating a public health risk. This health risk is particularly concerning because it disproportionately affects poorer communities that have less access to safe drinking water sources to begin with. Taking action to reduce the causes and trying to mitigate the problem are key components of addressing the impacts of climate change from flooding and sewage contamination before it’s too late.

Lack of access to safe sanitation is a leading cause of death in many developing countries

Safe sanitation is a basic necessity of life that most of us take for granted. However, in many developing nations around the world, access to adequate sanitation remains unattainable and this leads to an alarmingly high rate of preventable deaths. Unsafe water, poor sanitation, and hygiene cause an estimated 842,000 deaths each year. Poor sanitation leads to the spread of diseases, weakens social and economic development, and impairs human dignity. Without safe sanitation infrastructure and systems in place, people risk deadly illnesses and face significant challenges when it comes to health, hygiene, and education. It is essential for governments in developing countries to strive for standards of safe sanitation that protect all members of society from infectious diseases as lack of access continues to be a leading cause of death.

There are steps we can take to mitigate the crisis, such as investing in better treatment infrastructure and promoting proper sanitation practices

The current global health crisis has caused immense disruption in the lives of countless individuals and families. The ripple effects of this pandemic will continue to be felt for years and it is essential that we seek immediate, effective solutions in order to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases. One valuable step towards mitigating our current crisis is to invest in better treatment infrastructure and promote proper sanitation practices. By doing so, we can more readily provide access to medical care and teach people how to take precautionary measures such as frequent handwashing, social distancing, and wearing protective face masks. In addition, educating individuals on the importance of vaccinations will further ensure that potentially deadly illnesses are kept at bay. If we make a concerted effort to invest in both treatment infrastructure and preventive measures, we can empower communities across the world with the necessary tools to protect themselves from future crises.

The world is facing a wastewater crisis. More than 80% of the world's wastewater is released into the environment without being treated first, and this wastewater contains harmful pollutants that can contaminate drinking water sources and cause disease. The growing population and increased industrialization are putting strain on existing wastewater treatment infrastructure, and climate change is exacerbating the problem by causing more extreme weather events that lead to flooding and sewage overflows. Lack of access to safe sanitation is a leading cause of death in many developing countries. There are steps we can take to mitigate the crisis, such as investing in better treatment infrastructure and promoting proper sanitation practices. We must act now to protect our planet and its inhabitants from the devastating effects of this crisis.

Did you know that our main project at BIOROCK is to make sustainable and safe non-electrical wastewater treatment accessible to everyone? We offer compact sanitation solutions that can treat wastewater from 2 to several hundred people and are adapted to any type of soil.?

We care about encouraging a sustainable future for our planet. Our goal is to ignite a global revolution in the way people recycle and treat sewage. Interested in our project? Would you like to join our adventure? Talk to a member of our team!