Philippine Standard time

Water Pollution Impedes Management of Freshwater for Human Consumption


Water is one of the basic necessities in life, along with food and shelter. It must be clean, safe, and adequate. However, the number of people living in the cities who lack access to water in their own homes or immediate vicinity has increased over the years. Aside from that, more than 800 million people around the world do not have access to safe drinking water at all and this causes clear disadvantage to their health. A portion of these people are also the same people who buy from peddlers and pay an estimate of 20-100 percent higher for the price of their water compared to those who have water access in their homes. For this issue of the DRN, two of our main features delve on water issues and concerns. This issue discusses the importance of water, primarily to the health of the people. It also highlights that like other natural resources, water resources in the country are dwindling because of pollution, indiscriminate use, and partly because of the El Nino phenomenon. In addition, it touches on the actions taken by the government in its pursuit to answer the Philippines` water problems. The main feature titled "Water pollution impedes management of freshwater for human consumption," underscores that while freshwater is abundant in the country, only a small percentage can be potential sources of drinking water. Access to safe drinking water has also declined due to the huge demand of the growing population competing for potable water.

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