With 1.6 Billion people globally facing water scarcity, many are looking into ways of reducing water pollution. Many people in poor countries are also concerned about the health effects of waterborne diseases carried by mosquitoes and other insects. Water is essential for agriculture, manufacturing, industry and transportation. Here is an interesting story from a school in Pakistan that highlights how important public health and hygiene are to reduce water pollution and its effects on Pakistan and the rest of the world.
Understanding And Awareness Of Poor Water Conditions
This article aims to assess students awareness about water pollution in Pakistan to reveal the public health and environmental education contribution to reducing water pollution. The research was conducted by field survey at Wasit university, Wasit district, Pakistan by qualitative questionnaire with 388 participants from the engineering department and civil engineering faculty. The questionnaire covered three topics that were chosen at random: health and safety (how important are hygiene and how good is safety standards in industries where chemicals are used), water availability and pollution prevention and reduction (what activities can we do to reduce pollution?). A response was included if the participant agreed to at least two items.
The findings from this study showed that there is a lack of awareness about the importance of hygiene to protect public health and protect the environment. People were not aware that they are exposed to different air pollution sources and the risks of using dirty water. A lack of knowledge about these sources leads to more health problems for people. Health and environmental justice were neglected as the focus of the discussion.
The research showed that there is a lack of commitment towards public health and hygiene amongst the Pakistani population. Some individuals see health and environmental issues as a Western problem that can be solved easily. They believe that there is a problem in the country but don’t have the will to solve it. Only 3% of the respondents agreed to the statement that proper hygiene is very important for the good health of the residents. However, only 10% of them were willing to take steps to solve the problem. Water treatment is clearly one of the most important solutions to this isue.
One major challenge in developing an environment programme is to bring together all relevant actors – local as well as federal – to work together against pollution. Most of the studies conducted in Pakistan have failed to address industrial pollution and the lack of understanding of both rural and urban inhabitants. Pollution sources tend to be grouped based on the proximity to industrial centers. Sources such as fuel burning stoves, factories, open pits, construction sites, agricultural pollens, and waste disposal system are thought to cause air pollution and water contamination. It is difficult to differentiate between what is produced in an industrial factory and what is discharged into the environment.
Current Issues And Problems With Water Sanitation And Control
The lack of awareness about the adverse effects of using water and land resources for domestic and industrial purposes is a key challenge for the developing world. Increasing pressure is being placed on civil engineers to devise solutions to the increasing problems of water pollution and environmental degradation. A variety of projects in Pakistan are spearheading the implementation of new environmental policies, and civil engineers are now focusing more on public awareness campaigns.
An increasing number of people are now becoming aware of the hazards of environmental issues and they are demanding for action. Environmental awareness programs are now a critical component of strategic planning of local governments. Only with active participation by key stakeholders and the reinforcement of sustainable development can environmental programmes be effectively managed at both national and neighbourhood levels.
