Water-borne diseases

The water-borne diseases are so named because they are caused by drinking or contact with dirty water.

This non-potable water carries micro-organisms (bacteria, eukaryotes, etc.), viruses, and chemical contaminants (lead, pesticides, etc.) which cause potentially fatal problems and diseases.

Cholera, dysentery, typhoid, fever, poliomyelitis, hepatitis A and E are amongst the most frequent water-borne diseases.

Hygiene education, development of waste processing systems and water sanitisation will help to limit epidemics of these diseases in the long term.