Lack of access to safe and clean water significantly affects communities in various ways, particularly related to sanitation, drought conditions, and educational achievement. Here's how:
a) Increases in sanitation issues:
A lack of clean water directly impacts sanitation practices. Without reliable access to clean water, communities struggle to maintain proper hygiene and sanitation, leading to the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and dysentery. Poor sanitation conditions can exacerbate health issues, increase healthcare costs, and strain local resources. As a result, communities may experience higher morbidity and mortality rates, particularly among vulnerable populations like children and the elderly.
b) Increases in drought conditions:
While the link here is not direct, limited access to clean water can contribute to the perception and experience of water scarcity, particularly in areas that are also experiencing drought. When communities do not have sustainable water sources, the impacts of drought can be felt more severely. People may be forced to rely on contaminated sources, furthering health issues. In regions already experiencing drought conditions, lack of clean water exacerbates the struggle for survival and the competition for limited resources.
c) Decrease in educational achievement:
Access to clean water is critical for educational achievement. When children, especially girls, spend significant amounts of time fetching water from distant or unsafe sources, they have less time for schooling. Furthermore, illness due to water-related diseases can lead to absenteeism. Healthy children are more likely to attend school regularly and perform better academically. Thus, a lack of access to clean water can lead to decreased educational attainment and limit future opportunities for individuals and communities.
d) Decreasing water privatization:
While this does not directly relate to the effects of lacking access to clean water, it can be part of broader discussions on how water resources are managed. In some cases, privatization can lead to inadequate access for low-income communities if profit motives take precedence over universal access. Fighting against water privatization may be a strategy to ensure that water is treated as a public good and is accessible to all, particularly marginalized groups.
In summary, lack of access to safe and clean water has multi-faceted effects, particularly increasing sanitation issues and decreasing educational achievement while potentially exacerbating the impacts of drought conditions. Addressing water access is crucial for improving public health, education, and overall community resilience.