Relationship Between Waterborne Diseases and Climate Change

The changes in the weather pattern have become commonplace in the current world. This situation has led to increasing concerns over the past several decades. Of the main causes of the climatic changes, the actions of mankind are cited as the main culprit. The ensuing waterborne diseases and climate change are highly linked to these environmental changes.

The variations in climatic conditions bring about the increased potential of being infected by waterborne infections. This is because the changes in the environmental conditions not only lead to variations in rainfall patterns but also increased drought and other climatic variations.

The subject of water shortages is not only limited to areas in which water is scarce. On the contrary, the regions that receive excessive rainfall especially due to climate change are also prone to waterborne infections. This is because the vast water that is available in such areas might not be clean and could instead harbor several colonies of disease-causing microorganisms. The pathogens that might have been previously contained will then reemerge and multiply with reports of several cases of infections.

Climate change has reportedly accelerated in the past century due to the increased industrialization of the world. Since the effects of the change are already with us, we must become acquainted with both the causes and prevention mechanisms of waterborne diseases.  

Climate change is increasingly being identified as one of the major causes of water problems. One major impact that climate change has is that it has led to water shortages. This has led to the lowered supply of clean and sanitary water to individuals, hence adding to the number of infections that are reported.

Safe water is not just useful for consumption but is essential in everyday human activities. A major use of water in all households is sanitation. However, when climate change-induced water shortages occur, households tend to economize the little available water. This leads to a lowered level of hygiene. As water is important in maintaining cleanliness, priority will thence be given to consumers. Furthermore, many lifestyle changes tend to occur that further increase the incubation and spread of waterborne infections. For example, it becomes more common for people in some affected areas to defecate in areas that might easily contaminate water sources, a practice common in several underdeveloped regions.  

Excessive rainfall in certain areas leads to flooding, which is a major health hazard. Furthermore, rainfall often causes runoff which may prove to be a health hazard when the sewage systems are not properly managed. Thus, the runoff tends to transport the sewage, hence increasing constantly with human beings. This water may easily contaminate the drinking water channels and reservoirs hence affecting the quality of water treatment mechanisms. Furthermore, the vectors of infections are not limited to microorganisms present in the fecal matter as even the inorganic chemicals contained in fertilizers may be transported to the drinking water sources.

Overall, flooding enhances the ability of water to support the growth and multiplication of disease-causing microorganisms. Certain microorganisms can be passed from animals to human beings. Hence, the contact between domestic animals and the contaminated water could eventually lead to human infections.

Groundwater systems are not often subjected to elaborate water treatment mechanisms. This makes the water to be at a very high risk of contamination by microorganisms and the chemical components within runoff. Consumption of water from such sources after intensified rainfall in certain areas is, therefore, likely to lead to various diseases.

The subsequent inability of health systems to properly govern the respective sanitations will largely increase the pathological concentrations in water bodies. This further increases the chances of microorganisms finding their way into the groundwater systems.

The treatment programs meant for water systems should be conscious of climate change and employ strategies like energy minimization. While Ozonation treatment is effective, care should be taken to avoid leaks into the environment.

The waterborne diseases and climate change have been identified as closely related phenomena.The drastic changes characterizing the climatic conditions lead to new infections in the affected human populations. Being that the populations would only have had minimal exposure to the disease-causing microorganisms, their immunity to the pathogens is likely to be low. Thus, this increases the adverse effects of the infections.

There are several microorganisms that, while being infectious, have not been recognized. Climate change can bring forth suitable environmental conditions that support the growth of these organisms, leading to challenges in the provision of healthcare.

Flooding itself increases the chances of eutrophication, where the nutrients, washed away by run-off, find their way into the water bodies. This increases the vegetative growth of plants and algae. As a result, leads to low oxygen levels in the water bodies, a situation that might increase the death of sea organisms and subsequent lack of safety.

The contaminants include the heavy metals that find their way into water bodies. They gradually get absorbed by fish and other edible marine life. Hence, their eventual consumption by human beings possess a health risk.

As an individual, the most guaranteed way to avoid infections from water-based pathogens is to not only employ suitable water treatment technologies at home but also take part in the prevention of climate change. You can start by minimizing the use of energy, adopting carpooling measures, and recycling used water. Finally, one must be able to voice their concerns to governments and institutions against the activities that might lead to the changes. Technologies such as the use of rainwater harvesting as an alternative to water purification technologies that demand high energy consumption are also essential.

Climate change does not only affect the environment but also largely affects human life in various ways. One of the major effects of the change is the increase in the disease-causing microorganisms in water bodies.

The effects of climate change are already being witnessed in several regions, and the resulting infections lead to numerous illnesses. There are several measures that one could take to mitigate the changes. It is also the responsibility of both individuals, governments, and industries to implement strategies that minimize environmental pollution.