Water
According to experts, half of all hospital beds in the developing world are filled with people sick from waterborne diseases (source: Population Services International). Someone dies of a waterborne illness every 15 seconds (source: Thirst Relief International).
Access to an adequate supply of clean, safe drinking water, which we take for granted in the developed world, is a huge obstacle in the daily lives of many people in remote areas of Latin America and a humanitarian crisis is many other parts of the world.
The only source of water for many people in poor, rural areas is from a lake, river or shallow well where the water is muddy or cloudy and often contaminated. Generally, livestock also use these water sources, further contaminating them with their feces and urine.
On the way to Manisnioj, Argentina; cattle share the only source of drinking water with residents.
Adding to the water problem, in Argentina, several provinces – including Santiago del Estero, Salta and Jujuy – have high levels of arsenic, which seeps into the groundwater from the region’s rocks. If the water is left untreated, people are at considerable risk of chronic arsenic poisoning.
Chronic exposure to arsenic may cause skin diseases such as melanosis (pigmentation) and keratosis (rough, dry, papular skin lesions) as well as skin cancer. Other adverse health effects may also include reproduc¬tive, neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, hepat¬ic, haematological and diabetic effects in humans. Ingestion of inorganic arsenic is an established cause of skin, bladder, and lung cancer.
Water quality issues aside, the distance to the nearest water supply in many of these communities may be several hours away, and water must be transported by horse-drawn cart or on foot. Even in communities where a local water source is available, the lack of electricity in these remote areas makes the water difficult to access and transport.
In some communities in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, residents spend three to six hours a day transporting water from the nearest water source.
What’s Currently Being Done?
One of the simplest and most cost-effective options for providing clean drinking water to affected communities is solar water disinfection. Solar water disinfection is a simple technology used to improve the microbiological quality of drinking water using solar radiation and temperature to destroy pathogens that cause water-borne diseases. Transparent plastic bottles (e.g., 2-liter soda bottles) are filled with contaminated water and exposed to full sunlight for 6-8 hours. An iron nail is added to the water to oxidize the heavy metals. However, one concern with this method is that the plastic molecules may leach into the water causing breast cancer.
Another solution is to install solar panels to provide electricity to operate a well pump in each community where a local water source is available.
Boys in El Desbastadero, Argentina get a drink of water from thecommunity well, soon to be powered by a new solar panel installed at the community center.
