by Tres Mali Scott

Created on: March 11, 2010   Last Updated: March 12, 2010

To find solutions to these expensive and deadly situations, an international look at the issues causing the problem is in order. One reason water sanitation is so important, is because of the ability of contaminated water to carry and spread diseases.

A Gallup Poll report showed only 1% to 2% of the population cite environment as a big worry (Scott, 2009). In Africa and the adjacent Middle East, many of the diseases are a result of contaminated water. As a result of the contaminated water we are now in a "water crisis". The recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile have caused "water emergencies".

According to the American Heritage Dictionary, a crisis is a crucial or decisive point or situation, a turning point, an unstable condition, as in political, social, or economic affairs, involving an impending abrupt or decisive change.

An emergency, according to the American Heritage Dictionary is a serious situation or occurrence that happens unexpectedly and demands immediate action (Scott, 2009).

There have been similar water problems in different parts of Africa. According to The Writings of African-Americans in the summer of 2009, Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe reported: cholera, dysentery, diarrhea, and animal herding problems rooted in the lack or contamination of water.

Kampala, Uganda Eastern Africa reported drinking water with human waste and high levels of dirt that caused: Cholera, Dysentery, and Diarrhea. Old pipes that carry the local water has taken the blame. In Ethiopia, global warming and drought are effecting animal herding. Zambia and Zimbabwe had, in January 2009, outbreaks of Cholera that killed about 2,800 people.

1H2O is reporting that, in India, chemical contamination of the water is devastating the early years of life. A disease that cripples, fluorosis, comes from drinking water with high levels of fluoride. The Blaylock Wellness Report also has an article that warns of the dangers of high levels of fluorides, When Fluoride is Toxic.

In Mexico City, the use of raw sewage as fertilizer is endangering the health of farmers and ordinary families. According to photo journalist Janet Jarman on 1H2O, what is called "aguas negra" or "black waters" have become a Mexican Governmental concern and what may be the largest sewage treatment plant in Latin America is hoped to be finished in two years.

Many rural areas throughout the world, still have no running water and what many call "water wars" exist in

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