Bad Quality of Water

Group members:
1. Banaag, Janna Mae
2. Bacusmo, Janelle
A 2019 study by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that only 71% of
the population in the Philippines has access to safely managed drinking water,
and only 56% has access to safely managed sanitation. This means that millions
of Filipinos are drinking water that is contaminated with bacteria, viruses, and
other microorganisms, which can cause a variety of waterborne diseases.

The main causes of bad quality water in the Philippines are:

 Pollution from human activities: This includes agricultural runoff, industrial

wastewater, sewage, and other sources of pollutants.
 Natural sources of pollution: This includes naturally occurring minerals,
salts, and other substances.
 Climate change: Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity
of extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, which can
damage water infrastructure and pollute water supplies.
 Infrastructure problems: Inadequate water treatment and distribution
systems can also contribute to bad quality water.

The study of bad quality water in the Philippines is important because it can help
us to understand the risks to human health and the environment, and it can also
help us to develop strategies to improve water quality.

Some of the specific studies that have been done on bad quality water in the
Philippines include:

 A study published in the journal "Environmental Science & Technology" in

2019 found that water pollution from agricultural runoff is a major cause of
the contamination of drinking water in the Philippines.
 A study published in the journal "Water Research" in 2020 found that
climate change is increasing the risk of waterborne diseases in the
Philippines.
 A study published in the journal "Science of the Total Environment" in
2021 found that inadequate water treatment systems are a major cause of
waterborne diseases in the Philippines.

These are just a few examples of the many studies that have been done on bad
quality water in the Philippines. This is a complex and important field of study,
and there is still much that we do not know. However, the research that has been
done so far has helped us to understand the risks to human health and the
environment, and it has also helped us to develop strategies to improve water
quality.
Here are some of the strategies that are being used to improve water quality in
the Philippines:

 Investing in water treatment and distribution systems: This includes

building new water treatment plants, upgrading existing plants, and
repairing damaged pipes.
 Enforcing environmental regulations: This includes setting standards for
water quality and monitoring compliance with these standards.
 Educating the public about water quality: This includes teaching people
about the importance of safe drinking water and how to protect their water
supplies.
 Promoting sustainable water use: This includes reducing water waste and
encouraging the use of rainwater harvesting and other water conservation
techniques.

These are just some of the strategies that are being used to improve water
quality in the Philippines. It is a long and difficult process, but it is essential to
protect the health of the people and the environment.
Background of the study:
The "backbone" of everything alive is water, despite it being fluid. This is due to the
necessity of clean, safe, and sufficient freshwater for ecosystems, communities, and
economies as well as for the existence of all living things. Water is used in many
different ways, including for public (domestic) water supplies, industrial and agricultural
water supplies, fresh and marine water fisheries, leisure activities and other aesthetic
pursuits, and water transportation. Therefore, water bodies must be closely managed
and guarded from pollution, which will influence water quality and availability for
desired uses. Therefore, without water, life and civilization cannot exist, much less
advance and persist.
Background of the Study

Only 71% of the population has access to safely managed drinking water, and
only 56% has access to safely managed sanitation. This means that millions of
Filipinos are drinking water that is contaminated with bacteria, viruses, and other
microorganisms, which can cause a variety of waterborne diseases.
Contaminated water and inadequate sanitation are connected to spread of
illnesses such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio.
People are exposed to health hazards that can be avoided when water and
sanitation services are absent, subpar, or improperly managed.

 The main causes of bad quality water in the Philippines are:

o Pollution from human activities: This includes agricultural runoff,
industrial wastewater, sewage, and other sources of pollutants.
o Natural sources of pollution: This includes naturally occurring
minerals, salts, and other substances.
o
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.
 While the most important chemical risks in drinking water arise
from arsenic, fluoride or nitrate, emerging contaminants such as
pharmaceuticals, pesticides, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
(PFASs) and microplastics generate public concern.
 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.

Overview
Safe and readily available water is important for public health, whether it is
used for drinking, domestic use, food production or recreational purposes.
Improved water supply and sanitation, and better management of water
resources, can boost countries’ economic growth and can contribute greatly
to poverty reduction.

In 2010, the UN General Assembly explicitly recognized the human right to

water and sanitation. Everyone has the right to sufficient, continuous, safe,
acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and
domestic use.
Drinking-water services
Sustainable Development Goal target 6.1 calls for universal and equitable
access to safe and affordable drinking water. The target is tracked with the
indicator of “safely managed drinking water services” – drinking water from
an improved water source that is located on premises, available when
needed, and free from faecal and priority chemical contamination.

In 2022, 6 billion people used safely managed drinking-water services – that

is, they used improved water sources located on premises, available when
needed, and free from contamination. The remaining 2.2 billion people
without safely managed services in 2022 included:

 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.

Sharp geographic, sociocultural and economic inequalities persist, not only between rural
and urban areas but also in towns and cities where people living in low-income, informal
or illegal settlements usually have less access to improved sources of drinking-water than
other residents.

Water and health

Contaminated water and poor sanitation are linked to transmission of
diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid and
polio. Absent, inadequate, or inappropriately managed water and sanitation
services expose individuals to preventable health risks. This is particularly
the case in health care facilities where both patients and staff are placed at
additional risk of infection and disease when water, sanitation and hygiene
services are lacking.

Out of every 100 patients in acute-care hospitals, 7 patients in high-income

countries (HICs) and 15 patients in low- and middle-income countries
(LMICs) will acquire at least one health care-associated infection during their
hospital stay.
Inadequate management of urban, industrial and agricultural wastewater
means the drinking-water of hundreds of millions of people is dangerously
contaminated or chemically polluted. Natural presence of chemicals,
particularly in groundwater, can also be of health significance, including
arsenic and fluoride, while other chemicals, such as lead, may be elevated in
drinking-water as a result of leaching from water supply components in
contact with drinking-water.

Some 1 million people are estimated to die each year from diarrhoea as a
result of unsafe drinking-water, sanitation and hand hygiene. Yet diarrhoea
is largely preventable, and the deaths of 395 000 children aged under 5
years could be avoided each year if these risk factors were addressed.
Where water is not readily available, people may decide handwashing is not
a priority, thereby adding to the likelihood of diarrhoea and other diseases.

Diarrhoea is the most widely known disease linked to contaminated food

and water but there are other hazards. In 2021, over 251.4 million people
required preventative treatment for schistosomiasis – an acute and chronic
disease caused by parasitic worms contracted through exposure to infested
water.

In many parts of the world, insects that live or breed in water carry and transmit diseases
such as dengue fever. Some of these insects, known as vectors, breed in clean, rather than
dirty water, and household drinking water containers can serve as breeding grounds. The
simple intervention of covering water storage containers can reduce vector breeding and
may also reduce faecal contamination of water at the household level.

Economic and social effects

When water comes from improved and more accessible sources, people
spend less time and effort physically collecting it, meaning they can be
productive in other ways. This can also result in greater personal safety and
reducing musculoskeletal disorders by reducing the need to make long or
risky journeys to collect and carry water. Better water sources also mean
less expenditure on health, as people are less likely to fall ill and incur
medical costs and are better able to remain economically productive.

With children particularly at risk from water-related diseases, access to

improved sources of water can result in better health, and therefore better
school attendance, with positive longer-term consequences for their lives.
Effects of Poor Water Quality
The consequences of low-quality water are scary to think about but require
careful consideration. It’s crucial for homeowners to know the full scope of the
issue. The effects below are extreme circumstances. However, many experience
these repercussions across the world. When water dips in quality, these are the
potential results.

 Bacterial disease. Water-borne bacterial diseases thrive in poor-quality water because bacteria
grows best in polluted, stagnant water. Bacterial disease from water contamination presents with
these symptoms—vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. Cholera is one of the most well-
known water-borne bacterial diseases.

 Viral disease. Viral disease due to poor water quality is also possible. These diseases include
hepatitis, gastroenteritis, poliomyelitis, and even some forms of cancer. Viruses in water occur
when human and animal waste enter the rivers, lakes, and oceans. Some water-borne viruses
have vaccines to prevent infection, but others don’t have preventative medication yet.

 Parasitic disease. Parasitic diseases are found in waste-contaminated water. Many parasitic
diseases cause problems with the digestive system and lead to excessive vomiting and diarrhea.
These diseases spread through both consumption and recreational use—swimming, boating, and
other water-based activities.

 Reproductive issues. Certain water contaminates impact the reproductive system in particular. Both
men and woman experience the negative repercussions of low-quality water on their reproductive
systems. However, in each circumstance, infants have lower birth weights and are often premature.
Additionally, infertility may result from chronic exposure to poor-quality water.

 Environmental concerns. Poor water quality unquestionably affects the environment in a negative
way because it impacts plant and animal life. Plants rely on clean groundwater to sustain life, but
pollutants lower the quality and kill plants. Additionally, animals drink fresh water from ponds, lakes,
rivers, and the like. Those animals contract any disease in the water. This leads to the spread of
illness in animals and death.

 Death. In the most extreme circumstances, death is possible due to poor water quality. According
to the National Resources Defense Council, 1.8 billion people died from water contamination in
2015. This number reflects the international number of deaths. These deaths are directly linked to
diseases contracted via contaminated water.

Though these facts are shocking to most homeowners, they represent the worst
possible outcomes. Some effects of poor water quality take time to develop,
which is why these repercussions are so severe. Minor effects of poor-quality
water include chronic low-level illnesses, headaches, and digestive problems.

Causes of Poor Water Quality

The causes of poor water quality relate to situations outside of most
homeowners’ control. Pollution, on the whole is the leading cause of poor-quality
water, but there are some causes many don’t know. The causes below are the
most common reasons for poor quality water.
  Agricultural waste. Waste from animal and food farms account for a large portion of water
pollution. In addition, agricultural businesses are the largest consumers of freshwater. Rain moves
fertilizer, pesticides, and animal waste from farms to our water sources such as lakes and rivers.
When this happens, bacteria and viruses are more prevalent.

 Sewage and wastewater. Used water, or wastewater, comes from our homes and commercial
properties. This also includes stormwater and runoff from rainfall. Sewage and wastewater does go
through facilities to clean the water for reuse, but the process doesn’t always improve the quality
enough to be 100% clean and safe.

 Oil pollution. Poor water quality also exists because of oil spills and oil consumption in general.
Gasoline and oil drip from vehicles onto the ground. When it rains, the oil and gas move from roads
to bodies of water. Of course, major oil spill in the ocean contribute to this type of pollution as well.

 Radioactive materials. Radioactive materials produced by power plants lower the water quality too.
Radioactive materials live for thousands of years, which means their impact on the environment
and humans last far beyond the near future. These substances cause multiple types of cancer in
humans.

 Urban development. Because urban development occurs at high speeds, regulation of pollutants is
more difficult. Many factories dispose of their chemical waste in whatever body of water is closest.

 Plastic pollution. Next, poor water quality also stems from the improper disposal of plastic items.
Plastic doesn’t break down in water, which means it stays there forever. Everyone disposes of
plastics incorrectly from time to time, but it’s important to remain diligent and reduce plastic
consumption.

 Thermal pollution. Lastly, thermal pollution negatively affects water quality because it raises the
temperature of water across the globe. When the temperature of water increases, new bacteria and
viruses grow. Marine plants and animals often die when temperatures rise because they aren’t able
to handle warmer water.

Solutions to Poor Water Quality with Mr. Plumber

Luckily, homeowners regain control of their water quality with some of Mr.
Plumber’s services. Poor quality water improves with preventative care from
plumbers who know about the importance of clean water. Homeowners
experience the benefits of the following services with the help of our expert
plumbers.

 Water quality analysis. Firstly, we carry out water quality analyses for homeowners across
Indianapolis. We look for hard water, chlorine, and TDS—total dissolved solids—in these
inspections. During our inspection, we diagnose issues with the water and propose solutions based
on the needs of the homeowner.
 Water softener inspection. Additionally, we perform water softener inspections to determine if the
softener contributes to poor water quality in your home. We check the mechanical functionality,
cycle regulation, and overall performance to make sure it works its best. We also include a
complimentary resin clean to ensure the quality of the softener stays high.
 Water softeners. Hard water refers to how much-dissolved calcium and magnesium is present.
Hard water often leaves film or spots on dishes, dulls color in clothing, and leaves skin dry. Water
softeners reduce the calcium and magnesium in your water, which improves the quality overall.
 Reverse osmosis. Reverse osmosis systems are our plumbers’ specialty. This process removes
inorganic solids from water to make it cleaner overall. Water pressure pushes tap water through a
 semipermeable membrane which removes impurities such as fluoride, lead, and nitrates. When
these impurities—and many others—are removed, the water quality increases.
 Carbon filters. In addition, we use carbon filters to remove contaminates and impurities from the
water. Carbon filters use activated carbon to remove chlorine, benzene, radon, and more. Plus, the
carbon eliminates bad water smells and improves the taste.
 Chlorine removal. Finally, our expert plumbers assess the chlorine levels in your water and
propose a number of solutions to keep those levels low. Through carbon filters and reverse
osmosis, poor water instantly increases because both remove significant amounts of chlorine from
water.

Little Things to Improve Poor Water Quality

Along with the services offered by Mr. Plumber, homeowners reduce the effects
of poor water quality with easy at-home tips. These methods not only improve
your water quality, but they help raise the quality of water all over the world.

 Reduce plastic use. One way to instantly improve water quality is to reduce your usage of single-
use plastic. Though it’s hard to avoid single-use plastic in today’s society, try to limit how much you
consume on a daily basis.

 Dispose of waste correctly. Make sure to properly dispose of garbage, human waste, animal waste,
and the like. Waste items often find their way to large bodies of water through rainfall, but there are
some who dispose of waste directly into water. Never throw away trash or waste into bodies of
water.

 Limit use of pesticides. Additionally, limit your use of pesticides in your gardens and lawns.
Pesticides contain harmful chemicals and contaminate groundwater. When it rains, those
pesticides move from our lawns to lakes and rivers.

 Don’t dispose of chemicals down drains. Harsh chemical drain cleaners contaminate water
supplies. The chemicals in these cleaners don’t always filter out completely when they go through
water filtration plants. Other substances like prescription medication and fats used in cooking
require disposal without the use of drains.

Improve Your Water Quality

Poor water quality impacts homeowners across Indianapolis, Indiana, and the
world at large. Though the causes of water pollution are often out of our control,
there are some things we are able to do to keep water clean and safe. The
plumbers at Mr. Plumber want you to feel safe when you use the water in your
home.

For more information on our services, call us today. Our plumbers are here to
answer your questions about poor-quality water. We also tell you how to combat
its negative effects. We want your drinking water to be clean, so we offer
extensive water quality solutions to reduce contaminates and impurities.
 o Climate change: Climate change is increasing the frequency and
intensity of extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts,
which can damage water infrastructure and pollute water supplies.
o Infrastructure problems: Inadequate water treatment and
distribution systems can also contribute to bad quality water.
 The effects of bad quality water on human health:
o Waterborne diseases are the leading cause of death among
children under the age of five in the Philippines.
o Other health problems associated with bad quality water include
diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and polio.
o Long-term exposure to bad quality water can also lead to more
serious health problems, such as kidney disease, liver damage,
and cancer.
 The effects of bad quality water on the environment:
o Water pollution can harm fish and other wildlife, and it can also
make water unsafe for swimming and recreation.
o Water pollution can also contribute to climate change by releasing
greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
The bad quality of water in the Philippines is a serious problem that has a
significant impact on human health and the environment. There are a number of
factors that contribute to this problem, including pollution, climate change, and
infrastructure problems. There are also a number of strategies that are being
used to improve water quality, such as investing in water treatment and
distribution systems, enforcing environmental regulations, and educating the
public about water quality. However, it is a long and difficult process to improve
water quality in the Philippines, and it will require the cooperation of all
stakeholders.
  The effects of bad quality water on human health: This area of study
focuses on the impact of drinking water contaminated with bacteria,
viruses, parasites, and other microorganisms. These contaminants can
cause a variety of diseases, including diarrhea, cholera, dysentery,
typhoid, and polio. They can also lead to more serious health problems,
such as kidney disease, liver damage, and cancer.
 The effects of bad quality water on the environment: This area of study
focuses on the impact of water pollution on aquatic ecosystems. Pollutants
such as agricultural runoff, industrial wastewater, and sewage can harm
fish and other wildlife, and they can also make water unsafe for swimming
and recreation.

There are many different factors that can contribute to bad quality water,
including:

 Pollution from human activities: This includes agricultural runoff, industrial

wastewater, sewage, and other sources of pollutants.
 Natural sources of pollution: This includes naturally occurring minerals,
salts, and other substances.
 Climate change: Climate change can lead to changes in rainfall patterns,
which can affect the amount of water available and the amount of pollution
that enters waterways.
 Infrastructure problems: Inadequate water treatment and distribution
systems can also contribute to bad quality water.

The study of bad quality water is important because it can help us to understand
the risks to human health and the environment, and it can also help us to develop
strategies to improve water quality.

Here are some specific examples of studies that have been done on bad quality
water:

 A study published in the journal "Nature" in 2017 found that water pollution
from agricultural runoff is a major cause of the decline of freshwater fish
populations around the world.
 A study published in the journal "Science" in 2018 found that climate
change is increasing the risk of waterborne diseases in many parts of the
world.
  A study published in the journal "Environmental Science & Technology" in
2019 found that inadequate water treatment systems are a major cause of
waterborne diseases in developing countries.

These are just a few examples of the many studies that have been done on bad
quality water. This is a complex and important field of study, and there is still
much that we do not know. However, the research that has been done so far has
helped us to understand the risks to human health and the environment, and it
has also helped us to develop strategies to improve water quality.
The purpose of this study is to examine the issues and challenges related to water
quality, as well as their effects, and offer solutions.