News

Drinking water【CAPED medical】

Key facts

  • In 2021, over 2 billion people live in water-stressed countries, which is expected to be exacerbated in some regions as result of climate change and population growth (1).
  • In 2022, globally, at least 1.7 billion people use a drinking water source contaminated with faeces. Microbial contamination of drinking-water as a result of contamination with faeces poses the greatest risk to drinking-water safety.
  • Safe and sufficient water facilitates the practice of hygiene, which is a key measure to prevent not only diarrhoeal diseases, but acute respiratory infections and numerous neglected tropical diseases.
  • Microbiologically contaminated drinking water can transmit diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid and polio and is estimated to cause approximately 505 000 diarrhoeal deaths each year.
  • In 2022, 73% of the global population (6 billion people) used a safely managed drinking-water service – that is, one located on premises, available when needed, and free from contamination.

Drinking-water services

  • 1.5 billion people with basic services, meaning an improved water source located within a round trip of 30 minutes;
  • 292 million people with limited services, or an improved water source requiring more than 30 minutes to collect water;
  • 296 million people taking water from unprotected wells and springs; and
  • 115 million people collecting untreated surface water from lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.

Water and health

Economic and social effects

Challenges

WHO’s response

Share:

Related News