Global Health: Water Quality with Sevuria Partnership

By Nasif Islam & Hodo DahirCleveland High School

Who are we?

Welcome! I’m Nasif Hey! I’m Hodo

An Introduction to Water• "Water is life's mater and matrix, mother and

medium. There is no life without water." - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi [1937 Nobel Prize for Medicine]

• 70% of earths surface covered by earth• Only 2.5% is drinkable water.• A mere 8% of fresh water for household use.

Both photos:Unwater.org

Water Quality: a GLOBAL issue

• More than 1 Billion without access to safe water

• 20-50 liters for basic needs per person –

• 894 million or 1/6 people without access to this amount of water

World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP)

Our thought

• As a serious global issuse, water quality is often overlooked. As a humanity, a clear focus must be put into improving the quality of water around the globe, exclusively in Kenya.

Water Quality in Kenya

• 16.8 Million without access to improved water source –

• Poor sanitation affects fresh water• Waterborne disease outbreaks• Poor or even no water filtration

World Development Indicators (2007 est.)

Water Source of our Partners• "From the stream people fetch drinking water and for

the livestock and store in small containers and tanks which is then ready for use." - Marcela Mwawasi

• "They dig shallow wells... At the height of drought like now, most of these wells dry up and so people move for several km’s to fetch water." -Danson

Treatment Methods

• Many times water is not even treated• Water is stored in water drums, ready for use• WaterGuard (Chlorination) • SODIS • Boiling

Disrupting the water cycle

• Depletion of aquifers• Reduction of rivers and lakes• Meaning next time there

will be less surface water• Contamination of ground

water

• Bathe• Drink• To wash• To cook• To put out fires• Hot region

The Social Impact

• children have no choice, but to drop their education

• women carry heavy loads of water, to care for their families

• women are assaulted while gathering water

Water Source• "From the stream people fetch drinking water and for

the livestock and store in small containers and tanks which is then ready for use." - Marcela Mwawasi

• "They dig shallow wells... At the height of drought like now, most of these wells dry up and so people move for several kms to fetch water." -Danson

What is Cholera?

• Cholera is an acute infection of the small intestine, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

• Vibrio cholerae, releases a toxin that causes increased release

of water in the intestines, which produces severe diarrhea.

Who is at risk?

• Individuals living in places with inadequate water treatment, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene.

How does one get cholera?

• Consuming contaminated water or food.• Contact with feces

Symptoms

• Profuse watery diarrhea• Abdominal and leg cramps• Vomiting• Dehydration• Excessive thirst • Dry skin

Treatments

• Easily be treated with fluids ad antibiotics

• Replace fluids that have been lost.

• Oral rehydration solutions; Contain mixture of sugar and salts.