Water is a resource believe to be unlimited but only recently people recognize it
as a finite resource. There are many countries that have water shortages such as
Mexico, Chile, and South Africa. In West Africa, people drink the same pond water
where mothers launder clothes and thirsty cattle drink. The water are contaminated with
guinea worm larvae and other deadly parasites. Children are dying of typhoid, cholera,
and dysentery. They are going blind from trachoma. According to John Peet, Europe
editor for The Economist, states, "the two main reasons why so many people in poor
countries do not have clean water are, first, that most of it is wasted in subsidized
irrigation by farmers, who use over 75% of all water in developing countries; and second,
that water utilities tend to be corrupt, inefficient and to charge too little" (Peet).
The Johannesburg Summit 2002 is an organization that focuses on achieving on
sustainable development.
English: Mwamanongu Village water source, Tanzania...
Solomon Water volunteer and his counterpart Josh T...
Proposed Supply Routes from Lake Winnipeg and Lake...The Summit was at Johannesburg, South Africa from August
26 to September 4, 2002. Their focus on sustainable development includes; economic
growth and equity, conserving natural resources and environment, and social
development. One of the organization's main goal is to improve access to clean water.
At the same time, human demand is rising and competing usage for water are rapidly
increasing pressure on water sources. Solving these problems will require more financial
investment and advance technological solutions from the public and private sectors.
One out of every five human beings lacks access to safe drinking water, the most basic of
human needs. "About 1.1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water.
Contaminated drinking water and an inadequate supply of water account for 10 percent of
all diseases in developing countries" (Johannesburg ).
In poor countries, paying less for water does not help the...