IndexUses of Clean WaterCauses of Water ContaminationEffects of Unclean WaterSome Facts and Figures (Reported by UNDP)Uses of Clean WaterThe Access to clean, safe water opens up a world of community development possibilities. Without water, the fundamental element of life, all other development efforts cannot be imagined. Sanitation, coupled with a source of clean water, creates lasting community health and sustained human growth and development. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayJust the simple act of washing your hands with soap can reduce the incidence of diarrheal diseases. When combined with the use of adequate sanitation and a reliable source of clean water, the multiplied effects are even greater. With the benefits of clean water, adequate sanitation and good hygiene in place, educated individuals grow up to become the future of their respective nations. Causes of Water Contamination Water pollution these days has become a major problem all over the world. The main factors of water pollution are basically mistakes caused by people's negligence. Some of the major sources of water pollution are industrial waste, radioactive waste, sewage, and marine debris that are dumped directly into large marine bodies without treating them with chemicals. Effects of Impure Water There are many water borne diseases that can ruin the health of an individual and may even become the cause of life threatening condition. Some bacterial diseases often associated with drinking contaminated water are cholera, E.coli infection, dysentery, salmonellosis, and typhoid fever. Some facts and figures (reported by UNDP) Nearly 2.6 billion people have had access to pure drinking water since 1990, while approximately 663 million people lack it. At least 1.8 billion people worldwide use a drinking water source contaminated by feces. Between 1990 and 2015, the percentage of the world's population using an improved drinking water source increased from 76% to 91%. But water scarcity affects over 40% of the world's population and is set to increase. Over 1.7 billion people currently live in river basins where water consumption exceeds recharge. 2.4 billion people do not have access to basic sanitation services, such as toilets or latrines. Over 80% of wastewater resulting from human activities is discharged into rivers or the sea without any pollution removal. According to the Economic Report (2008), nearly 1,000 children die every day from preventable diarrheal diseases related to water and sanitation. Hydropower is the most important and widely used renewable energy source, accounting for 16% of total electricity in 2011. production worldwide. About 70% of all water extracted from rivers, lakes and aquifers is used for irrigation. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay If the problem of water pollution is not properly cured, the costs will be enormous for both people and the economy. There are already many organizations working to provide pure drinking water to even the poorest of the poor, including WATER.ORG, WATER FOR GOOD, PURE WATER FOR THE WORLD and many others. Civil society organizations should work to empower governments to invest in research and.