Water is essential for life. Having safe water can prevent health risks for many communities. Untreated water can make kids sick.
A study has recently been made that makes a link between untreated water, climate change and the risk untreated water has for kids. Chris Uejio, an assistant professor of Geography at Florida State University has said that around 20 million people in the US do not have access to safe drinking water. Contamination is likely in such areas, where the risk for diseases would be high.
The study is said to be the first, as it looks at the impact future rainfall will have on water availability. This could also affect health in areas that might be impacted by it. The study has been made along with the Wisconsin Department of Health and the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.
The study looked at children from ages five and under who are at risk of gastrointestinal diseases. The study projected the time when it might take place, which is from 2046 to 2065. Uejio said that Wisconsin has been chosen since it has a unique geography. Its geography is such that it is susceptible to groundwater contamination. There are also areas there that do not treat water, which has been the basis for comparison with those who do treat water.
For the study, three different scenarios have been evaluated, according to the Florida State University News. The first scenario involved climate change, and how it could affect untreated water if it continued with its present course. The second scenario has climate change along with some level of water treatment. The last treatment has a more aggressive drinking water treatment program added in.
The first scenario showed that without treatment, an increase in gastrointestinal illness could be as high as 3.6 percent. The second scenario can reduce the impact of climate change's effects on drinking water, along with some decrease in gastrointestinal illness. The last scenario has cases drop significantly, as Science Daily reports.
Uejio has said that communities have children who are getting sick because of untreated drinking water. Technology is already there that could be used to treat drinking water. Water is essential, and people will drink water for health. Untreated water can make kids sick. A study has found gluten-free diet to be not totally safe.
