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Health topics

Water

 

Water is essential for life. The amount of fresh water on earth is limited, and its quality is under constant pressure. Preserving the quality of fresh water is important for the drinking-water supply, food production and recreational water use. Water quality can be compromised by the presence of infectious agents, toxic chemicals, and radiological hazards.

 

General information

  • Fact sheet: water
  • Q&A: How does safe water impact global health?
  • Q&A: How can water-related diseases be prevented during emergencies?

Multimedia

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  • Environmental health challenges in Mauritania
    March 2013

WHO programmes and activities

  • Water, sanitation and hygiene
  • Household water treatment and safe storage
  • International Small Community Water Supply Network

Water in WHO regions

  • African Region
  • Region of the Americas
  • South-East Asia Region
  • European Region
  • Eastern Mediterranean Region
  • Western Pacific Region

Technical information

  • Water, sanitation and hygiene

Publications

  • Water, sanitation and hygiene in health care facilities
  • Guidelines for drinking-water quality
  • More publications about water
  • Water supply, sanitation and hygiene monitoring

Statistics

  • Data and analysis on water and sanitation
  • Water: data visualizations
  • Water, sanitation and health databases and statistics
  • Water supply and sanitation monitoring and evidence

Related topics

  • Children's environmental risks
  • Environmental health
  • Infectious diseases
  • Water, health and ecosystems

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