Water and Public Health

Groundwater is the primary source of drinking water for most people in the world, accounting for about 30% of all freshwater withdrawals.

The WHO has set a maximum allowable concentration of lead in drinking water of 10 µg/L (micrograms per liter).

Cholera is a waterborne disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

Chlorine is the primary chemical used for disinfection of drinking water due to its effectiveness and low cost.

Reverse osmosis is the most widely used process for desalination of seawater.

Giardiasis is a waterborne disease caused by the protozoan Giardia lamblia.

The WHO has set a maximum allowable concentration of fluoride in drinking water of 1.5 mg/L (milligrams per liter).

Typhoid is a waterborne disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi.

Filtration is the process of removing impurities from water by passing it through a series of filters.

Hepatitis A is a waterborne disease caused by the virus Hepatitis A virus.

The WHO has set a maximum allowable concentration of arsenic in drinking water of 10 µg/L (micrograms per liter).

Dysentery is a waterborne disease caused by the bacterium Shigella dysenteriae.

Freezing is a process of desalination of seawater by freezing and then melting the ice.

Cryptosporidiosis is a waterborne disease caused by the protozoan Cryptosporidium parvum.

The WHO has set a maximum allowable concentration of nitrate in drinking water of 50 mg/L (milligrams per liter).