World Water Day 2025: Raising Awareness About the Global Water Crisis

• Written by Ritika Malik

  Reviewed by Munmi Sharma

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World Water Day, celebrated on March 22 annually, is one of the most prevalent occasions supporting and raising awareness of the water crisis worldwide. The day highlights the significance of water, fosters sustainable practices, and brings attention to the growing dangers of waterborne diseases, water contamination, water pollution, etc.

This blog will explain why World Water Day is celebrated, its significance, the impact of waterborne diseases, and how water pollution and contamination contribute to international health crises.

World Water Day Theme

Glacier Preservation is the theme of World Water Day in 2025, as glaciers are crucial to life. Glacier meltwater is significant for drinking water, industries, agriculture, energy production, and maintaining healthy ecosystems.

Melting glaciers are now causing apprehensions about water flows, profoundly impacting humans and the Earth. Hence, reducing carbon emissions and implementing strategies to adjust the melting glaciers are essential. Glacier preservation should be the plan to handle climate change and manage the water crisis by working together.

The Essence of Water: A Lifeline for All

Water is an integral element of human life. Seventy percent of the human body is water; almost all bodily functions depend on this element. Water is crucial in sanitation, agriculture, ecosystems, and industry functionality. Without water, survival becomes unthinkable, and health can go downhill fast. However, this is unfortunate even after water exists on this Earth in a generous amount; clean and safe water availability is still a challenge for millions of individuals worldwide.

Why is Water Important?

Water is the core of all forms of life. It controls body temperature, helps digestion, and assists with cellular functions. Water maintains hydration, which enables the movement of nutrients and removes waste from the body.  

1. Hydration: Water helps maintain hydration in the body, including fluid balance, digestion, absorption, circulation, and temperature regulation.
2. Sanitation and Hygiene: Clean water is critical for sanitation and hygiene practices like washing, cleaning, etc. Lack of proper sanitation and clean water sources leads to the spread of harmful diseases.
3. Agriculture: Water is the primary resource essential for crop cultivation and irrigation. Without water, agriculture would cease to exist, impacting food supply and security.
4. Energy Production: Water is a core element of numerous industrial functions, from manufacturing to energy production.

Understanding Waterborne Diseases

Waterborne diseases are diseases transferred through polluted water. They usually occur due to microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Clean and safe drinking water availability is a primary cause of sickness and death worldwide. Waterborne diseases are accountable for millions of deaths every year, mainly in regions without adequate sanitation or water treatment infrastructure.

Common Waterborne Diseases

Here are some of the most common waterborne diseases:

1. Cholera: Cholera is a highly infectious bacterial infection that spreads through water contamination by the faeces of an infected individual. It causes severe symptoms like diarrhoea, vomiting, and dehydration. In severe situations, it can cause death if not treated for a long time. The key highlights of this waterborne disease are:

• Cholera outbursts are common in areas with poor sanitation and inadequate access to clean water.
• Symptoms are watery diarrhoea, dehydration, and leg cramps.
• Treatment usually involves rehydration solutions, antibiotics, and improving water sanitation.

2. Typhoid: Typhoid fever occurs due to an infection called the Salmonella typhi bacteria. The infection is transmissible through contaminated water and food. The key highlights of this waterborne disease:

• Symptoms are prolonged fever, weakness, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.
• Typhoid fever can be deadly if not treated with antibiotics.
• Prevention depends on proper sanitation, clean water sources, and vaccination.

3. Diarrhea: Diarrhea is among the primary causes of death worldwide, mainly among young children. It occurs from ingesting water contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Here are the key highlights of this disease:

• Diarrhoea can lead to severe dehydration and malnutrition if not treated effectively.
• Contaminated water is a primary contributor to diarrheal illnesses.
• Rehydration therapy, antibiotics, and sanitation practices are essential to ease the spread.

4. Dysentery: An intestinal infection that causes severe diarrhoea with blood and mucus. The key highlights are:

• Shigella bacteria or amoebic parasites cause dysentery through water contamination.
• Symptoms include painful abdominal cramps, fever, and bloody stools.
• Treatment includes antibiotics, rehydration, and addressing sanitation practices.

5. Hepatitis A is a viral infection that impacts the liver and transmits through polluted water. The key highlights are:

• Symptoms of hepatitis A include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and jaundice.
• The disease is preventable through a vaccine but once contracted, it leads to lasting liver damage if not treated.
• Hygiene methods, availability of safe drinking water, and proper sanitation are essential to prevent the spread of hepatitis A.

6. Polio: Polio occurs due to a virus that transmits through contaminated water, affecting the nervous system and causing paralysis.

• While there are no cures for polio, vaccination has drastically reduced its spread in many parts of the world.
• Polio outbreaks are commonly associated with poor sanitation and water pollution.

Water Contamination: A Global Crisis

Water contamination occurs when pollutants enter water bodies, making them unsafe for consumption or other uses. It is a severe environmental problem that contributes to waterborne diseases, loss of biodiversity, and pollution of ecosystems.

What Causes Water Contamination?

The causes of water contamination include:

1. Industrial Waste: Industries usually release toxic chemicals into water bodies, contaminating drinking water sources. This includes heavy metals such as mercury and lead and chemicals like pesticides and solvents.
2. Agricultural Overflow: Pesticides, fertilisers, and animal waste from agrarian actions can seep into water sources, contaminating them and posing health hazards.
3. Inappropriate Waste Disposal: The lack of waste management infrastructure in urban and rural areas leads to waste dumping into rivers, lakes, oceans, and other water contamination sources.
4. Sewage and Wastewater: Untreated sewage can contaminate water supplies, spreading harmful pathogens and disease.

What Is the Impact of Water Contamination?

Water contamination can impact in the following manner:

1. Health Hazards: Contaminated water can harbour harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites, leading to waterborne illnesses. For example, cholera and typhoid can transmit fast when drinking water is contaminated.
2. Ecosystem Devastation: Water pollution harms fish and plant life in aquatic ecosystems. It disturbs the balance of natural ecosystems, affecting animal and human food sources.
3. Financial Burden: Water contamination can expose people to various health issues, and timely clinical care can make all the difference. Health insurance plays a significant role as it offers coverage to individuals suffering from waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, diarrhoea, etc., and can receive immediate treatment.

Water Pollution: A Growing Concern

Water pollution refers to poisonous substances in water bodies which can significantly impair water quality. Pollution can be caused by several human activities, from industrial and agricultural overflow to inadequate waste removal. This widespread pollution affects the environment and endangers human health and biodiversity.

What Are the Types of Water Pollution?

Water pollution is categorised into different types, such as:

• Chemical Pollution: Toxic chemicals, such as pesticides, industrial solvents, and heavy metals, contaminate water and pose serious health dangers.
• Plastic Pollution: Discarded plastic waste usually ends up in rivers and oceans, where it causes long-lasting harm to aquatic ecosystems and marine life.
• Biological Pollution: Water sources contaminated with bacteria, viruses, and parasites from human or animal waste are common causes of biological pollution.
• Nutrient Pollution: Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus can cause algae blooms in water bodies. It lowers oxygen levels and harms aquatic life.

How to Address Water Pollution?

Here is how water pollution can be addressed:

1. Improved Waste Treatment: Following treatments like industrial effluent and proper sewage is essential. The latest filtration and treatment technologies can assist in eradicating toxic substances from water before they are released into water bodies.
2. Sustainable Agriculture: Farmers can adopt sustainable agricultural practices, such as reducing pesticide and fertiliser use, to prevent agrarian runoff from polluting water sources.
3. Awareness Campaigns: It's essential to educate the public about the effects of water pollution. Fostering accountable waste disposal approaches can lower pollution and conserve water resources.

This World Water Day, Let’s Pledge to Save Water!

To celebrate World Water Day, begin by increasing awareness about water preservation. You can celebrate the day in the following ways: 

• Enlighten others on saving water through workshops, social media campaigns, or community events. 
• Arrange a clean-up endeavour at a local water body to foster environmental duty.
• Put your efforts into aiding organisations addressing water scarcity problems by donating or volunteering.
• Promote sustainable methods such as lowering water waste in daily life. You can also minimise plastic waste by using reusable water bottles and dodging single-use plastics.

World Water Day is a reminder to underline the significance of clean and safe water in sustaining life and enhancing health. We can include significant changes toward a healthier and sustainable future by addressing water contamination and pollution and ensuring access to clean water. Lastly, spread the message of water's essence in nurturing life to uplift others to take action. 

Disclaimer: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.