08.22.2006 / Posted by Carlos Perea / Permalink /
Category: Water
/ 0 Comments
Water has presented itself as one of the most important socio-political issues of our time. According to the United Nations, one in five people do not have access to safe drinking water, amounting to over 1.2 billion people worldwide. The World Health Organization and UNICEF report that 5.2 million people die each year from waterborne disease, most of whom are children. In fact, the death toll from water-related illness is twice that from AIDS. At any given time, approximately half of the people in the developing world are suffering from a water-related sickness. Most of these waterborne illnesses are preventable with proper sanitation, including disinfection of water. In fact, when the U.S. implemented chlorination in 1908, typhoid fever was eliminated within a few decades as all citizens gained access to treated water.
Beyond the current worldwide health crisis, the ability to achieve economic growth and social progress in the future is directly related to improved access to safe drinking water. The United Nations estimates that two-thirds of the world population will run into serious problems by the year 2025 if current water usage and management policies are not changed. The U.S. spent over $3 billion from 2001 to 2003 to address international water issues. The Global Water Partnership estimates that $4.5 trillion is needed to address water infrastructure for the next 20 years. The EPA estimates that $277 billion is needed to ensure safe drinking water in the U.S. alone.
Water use has been growing at more than twice the rate of worldwide population increase, while existing water sources are being rapidly depleted and water quality is growing worse. The increasing population is also estimated to need 55% more food by 2030. The production of food, whether it is grain or meat, is also directly tied to water consumption with over 70% of all water use for agriculture, which is in turn used to feed either humans or livestock.
Despite the dire need for cost-effective water solutions worldwide, those that buy bottled water are paying 1,000 times or more than those using tap water. Ironically, thirty to fifty percent of bottled water is nothing more than packaged tap water.
The ability to affordably treat water to drinking water quality can have a worldwide impact on health and economic growth. As MIOX Corporation continues to refine our systems and to enter new markets, we hope to play a part in making safe drinking water available to all peoples of the world.
