Source: MuhammadProtecting sources of water is essential to ensuring human health. According to The 3rd World Water Forum, held in 2003, every year at least five million people die from water-related diseases worldwide. These diseases are transmitted either directly, as a result of infection from consuming contaminated water or food, or indirectly, by ingesting disease-carrying organisms. The majority of those affected by water related mortality and morbidity are children under the age of five.

While more prevalent in developing countries, threats to human health as a result of drinking water contamination also exist in industrialized nations such as Canada. This susceptibility was tragically brought home in May 2000, when seven people died and 2,300 became sick after ingesting Escherichia coli (E. coli) 0157:H7 bacteria that had entered the water distribution system in Walkerton, Ontario.

Preventing contaminants from entering water sources is an effective way to help ensure clean drinking water and thus prevent human disease. This is important because conventional water treatment methods cannot effectively remove many hazardous chemicals. While source water protection works to everyone’s benefit, it is of particular concern for rural consumers whose geographic location may prevent them from having access to municipally treated water.

Next: What is the Watershed Approach?

Adapted from Pollution Probe's Source Water Protection Primer