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In the world’s developing nations, raw sewage pollutes nearly every major river. Thus water pollution is a global problem. In the developing world, according to World Watch Magazine, 80 percent of all diseases are spread by the consumption of unsafe water. Water borne pathogens and pollution kill 25 million people every year.
Not to worry, man is found of seeking for solutions to any problem he may encounter. On November 10 1980, the United Nations General Assembly spoke about the “International Drinking Water and Supply and Sanitation Decade” The goal was to provide by the year 1990, full access to safe water and sanitation for all those living in the developing world. Truly noble tasks were set in place to achieve this objective but were offset by a population growth of over 800 million people in developing countries.
Some solutions to this water crisis being proposed by some scientists include:
Building Desalination Plants:
This means removing salt from seawater. Usually this is done by pumping the water into low-pressure chambers where it is heated until it boils. The water evaporates and is directed elsewhere leaving behind the salt crystals. It is an expensive process beyond the reach of many developing countries.
Melting down Icebergs
Some scientists believe that massive icebergs, which contain pure, fresh water, could be towed from the Antarctic by large tug boats and melted down to provide water in the Southern Hemisphere. One problem to this is that about half of the iceberg would melt before reaching its destination.
Tapping Aquifers
Aquifers are water-bearing rocks deep in the Earth. From these, water can be pumped even in the driest of deserts. But this is another expensive procedure.
Clearly the global water crisis is complex and involves interrelated factors: shortages, pollution, poverty, diseases and the risks of a growing population. It is likewise clear that the human family is in danger unless concrete steps are taken by both the developed and developing nations to improve the situation.
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