Introduction
Water contamination could be a critical open wellbeing issue that influences communities around the world, and poses dangers to human well-being and prosperity. The significance of tending to this issue stems from its broad effect on populaces, especially in low-to-middle-income nations (LMICs) such as India, where access to clean water is restricted. All-inclusive, water defilement contributes to an array of well-being issues, counting diarrheal infections, cholera, typhoid fever, and different other waterborne ailments (Singh et al., 2022). These illnesses can lead to serious well-being complications, especially in defenceless populations such as children, the elderly, and people with debilitated safe frameworks.
At the populace level, water contamination is ordinarily characterized and measured through different markers, counting the nearness of pathogens, poisons, and contaminants over secure levels in drinking water sources. According to Lin et al. (2022), checking programs track water quality parameters such as pH, turbidity, microbial substance, and chemical composition to survey the degree of defilement and its potential well-being suggestions. Additionally, water can be contaminated with heavy metals and chemicals found in pesticides, and these contaminants can lead to long-term health problems such as cancer, liver damage, and kidney failure. This is an important aspect that people should recently start paying attention to. Moreover, studies have indicated that people still have difficulty getting clean, safe drinking water, which affects drinking water quality and energy savings (Lin et al., 2022).
Access to clean, safe water is potentially more difficult in many cities around the world, especially in developing countries, where it is often a challenging and costly task. At the same time, if water is polluted, it can lead to reliance on water sources that may be contaminated with pathogens or toxic chemicals, exacerbating public health problems (Amit & Sasidharan, 2019). It will then also lead to environmental degradation, harming the place we can touch and get closer to in every moment. Specifically, in addition to direct impacts on human health, water pollution also affects the human ecosystem. These pollutants can cause the death of aquatic organisms, reduce biodiversity and disrupt the balance of aquatic ecosystems (Sonone et al., 2020). Similarly, if analyzed from a human perspective, this could have a serious and long-term impact on food security and the natural resources on which people depend.
Taking the cases of Columbus, Ohio and India as a low-to-middle-income country, it emerges that the challenge of water contamination poses critical challenges due to components such as insufficient foundation, destitute sanitation hones, mechanical contamination, and constrained access to secure drinking water sources. Tending to this issue requires comprehensive methodologies that include water treatment, sanitation enhancements, open instruction, and arrangement intercessions (Amit & Sasidharan, 2019). These are methods and ways that can be employed to mitigate the effects of water pollution, and require a lot of research and study to develop a scientifically sound measure to solve. As a potentially reliable approach, scientists need to regulate industrial discharges more strictly, improve waste management practices, and learn the importance of protecting water resources (Danopoulos et al., 2020).
This paper will therefore consider addressing the issue of water contamination as a prevalent health issue facing not only high-income countries like the case of Columbus, Ohio, USA, but also low-to-middle income nations such as India. The paper will therefore inform the basis of commencing a discourse on an ongoing basis on the challenge of water contamination through the lens of global public health.
Burden in India as the Chosen LMIC
Water contamination is a widespread public health concern in India that has serious consequences for the health and welfare of the populace. India presents particular difficulties in guaranteeing its population’s access to clean and safe drinking water because of its enormous geographic area and varied socioeconomic environment. In rural and peri-urban areas, where industrial pollution, runoff from agriculture, poor sanitation facilities, and a lack of infrastructure all contribute to the widespread contamination of water sources, the problem of contaminated water is especially severe (Singh et al., 2022). This is a more complex issue showing the spread of waterborne illnesses in India. The diarrheal diseases alone accrue millions of cases each year, recording an aggregate cost of morbidity and mortality in the nation as demonstrated by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2024). This age group is the most vulnerable. Infants and young children make up only a quite small portion of all those who die from waterborne diseases (Sharma et al., 2023). Besides diarrhoea, safe water is another incurable waterborne disease like cholera, typhoid fever, hepatitis, and dysentery. They are other economy-burdening maladies whose effects are felt by the people, communities as well as other economic players through the high cost of health care, loss of productivity, and deteriorated quality of life (Sharma et al., 2023).
Addressing the problem of water pollution in India, the government has come up with different policies and programs that aim to improve drinking water safety and accessibility to sanitation facilities. A major campaign has been the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) which started in 2014 with a target to get rid of open defecation campaigns and achieve 100% sanitary coverage as well as by 2019 through SMB (2024). The program indicates the ways people construct individual toilets within the houses together with the community sanitation facilities and solid waste management infrastructure as a key aspect in the improved hygiene practices and environment sanitation is a reduction of pollution (SBM, 2024). Per the SBM, through the means of assembling sufficient funds for water and sanitation initiatives, the Government of India has obtained secure water supply systems, applied water filtering systems and implemented hygiene measures. The plan is executed in a multi-sectorial strategy that involves various ministries, state governments, municipalities, NGOs, and local organizations (SBM, 24/10/2024).
One of the crucial parts of SBM is Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G) which also deals with matters of water supply and sanitation in rural areas. The SBM-G is committed to actions that will increase access by the people of the rural communities to clean water as well as promote safe sanitation practices and hygiene behaviour in the villages (SBM, 2024). By utilizing the synergized strategies of infrastructural development, BCC, and community mobilization (SBM), the program aims to make its objectives achievable. A conclusion on the SBM’s contrasting achievement and obstacle regarding India’s water contamination is provided. Even in this case, where rates of open defecation have declined while sanitation coverage has markedly improved, there are still several areas where access to clean water remains a big problem (SBM, 2024). Poor infrastructure, rare water sources, pollution, and social, economic and gender inequalities are among the most detrimental players in not letting access to clean water be for all. But these bumps in the road did not paralyze the SBM she advised others to resolve water pollution. As a widened process, the SBM distributed some components everywhere to revitalize the sanitation infrastructure of India ((Dandabathula et al., 2019). Concerning the impact, the main elements of the plan, including behaviour change education, community participation, and infrastructural development, had been highly successful. This has not only led to marked improvements in general health in the targeted areas but also significantly reduced waterborne diseases (Dandabathula et al., 2019).
Local Burden
Water pollution is a complex health problem involving the general aspects of the community that strives to protect the entire population of the city of Columbus, Ohio. Unlike several poorer countries which don’t invest in infrastructure or have uncontrolled pollution, Columbus has strong regulatory systems, but the problem of water pollution still exists because of various factors, such as old infrastructure, industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, and emerging contaminants (City of Columbus, 2024). In Columbus, there are different communities and neighbourhoods with varying rates of water contamination; in some places, the health threat is even greater than in others. Contaminants possessed by lead, disinfection byproducts, and microbiological infections are the reason for traditional water structures which are characterized by old pipes and treatment plants. Furthermore, contaminants from industrial processes like manufacturing and waste disposal may find their way into water sources, endangering human health (City of Columbus, 2024).
Numerous laws and initiatives have been put in place to safeguard the public’s health and guarantee access to clean, safe drinking water in response to Columbus’ water contamination problem. There are two important initiatives worth taking into consideration in this quest. First, Columbus has the Water Quality Enhancement Program (City of Columbus, 2024a). The Department of Public Utilities is in charge of the Columbus Water Quality Improvement Plan, which includes several tactics meant to improve water quality, modernize infrastructure, and reduce pollution threats. To lower the amount of pollutants in the drinking water supply, this extensive plan comprises investments in water treatment facilities, distribution networks, and source water protection techniques (City of Columbus, 2024a). Important elements of the strategy include, first, infrastructure upgrades. To increase the capacity and effectiveness of water delivery systems, investments are made in modernizing water treatment facilities, distribution pipes, and storage reservoirs. The second key element in this regard is protecting water sources from pollution, runoff, and contamination requires cooperation between regional stakeholders, environmental organizations, and watershed associations (City of Columbus, 2024a). Furthermore, the plan involves water quality monitoring whereby strict protocols for monitoring water quality should be put in place to identify and lessen contamination incidents. These programs should include routine testing for chemical pollutants, emerging contaminants, and microbiological diseases. Lastly, there are public education and outreach initiatives geared towards the same goal (City of Columbus, 2024a). In this case, educating the public through public forums, outreach programs, and campaigns to increase knowledge of water quality concerns, encourage water conservation measures, and provide citizens with the tools they need to take preventative measures to safeguard their health (City of Columbus, 2024a). The continuing monitoring of water quality measurements, the appraisal of infrastructure modifications, and the monitoring of contamination incidents and response activities are all part of the evaluation of the Columbus Water Quality Improvement Plan. The plan’s objectives are to lower the prevalence of waterborne illnesses, boost public trust in the water system, and protect Columbus citizens’ health by putting these precautions into action (City of Columbus, 2024b).
The second important initiative in Columbus, Ohio is the Program for Education and Community Outreach. As such, the Columbus Government, which is headed by the Mayor, together with community groups such as neighbourhood associations, environmental organizations, and the health departments in this area, run a community outreach program to educate residents on water pollution danger and instil the safe water usage practice (Columbus, 2024). The plan will include organizing lectures, seminars, and workshops to introduce the locals to water-related issues, the importance of keeping hydrated, and measures to ensure the quality of drinking water (Columbus, 2024). Besides, the organization demonstrates a hand in planning various community activities whose aim is to have healthy neighbourhood gatherings, health fairs, and outreach initiatives on ways to prevent water pollution, options for water filtration, and ways to get clean water. The program includes teaching guidelines, PSAs, and literature on water quality and health via the use of print media and digital platforms as well (Eastside City Council, 2024). Estimating the degree of the target group’s awareness about the sanitation aspects of drinking water is a key point of program evaluation for the Community Outreach and Education Program. The initiative addresses the problem of waterborne diseases through the method of supplying people with hygiene products like water filters and sharing information on healthy lifestyles which reduces the risk of waterborne illnesses (Eastside City Council, 2024). Taking into account that, the regulations and programs Columbus put forward emphasize the fact that the government is dedicated to safeguarding public health.
Discussion
Water and sanitation supply contamination is a global issue in public health that impacts communities worldwide and also cuts across geography and socioeconomic status. The complexity of water quality issues in terms of their exploring, links and differences in global and local approaches is depicted through the many similarities and striking differences that exist (Mishra et al., 2021). Besides the positive role of water conservation in promoting and preserving public health and avoiding waterborne diseases, the safety and quality of drinking water are the main commonalities between local and global positions on water conservation. Disenfranchised groups, including kids, seniors as well as deprived families are concisely hit by clean water shortages in both developing countries like the United States and low to -middle-income countries (LMICs) as in the case of India (Mishra et al., 2021). Water contamination thus requires a comprehensive input which incorporates community participation, educational programs, appropriate regulations, and necessary improvements in infrastructures.
Not only is there a big difference in approaches, but also the methods that are being used are unique from one place to another. These variables are diversified terrain in terms of governance, infrastructure, resources, and culture, which show how countries employ separate measures (Unger, 2023). In this group of countries, it appears that the supervision of basic development activities and central infrastructure together with community empowerment are still ineffective as a result of lack of clean water and poorly performing infrastructure. The strategy’s application to practical situations brings evidence that the former is easily combined with the latter under the good or improvement of facilities, behaviours, and community mobilization, like India’s Swachh Bharat Mission (Dandabathula et al., 2019). However, other countries like America have gone ahead and put up robust infrastructures and scientific solutions which have been working to lower the risk for getting water contamination and at the same time can provide us with clean water (Columbus Government, 2024). Therefore, the main agenda of the Water Resources Department in Columbus as far as the safety and security of water is concerned, public education, water quality monitoring and infrastructure improvements are major drivers in this campaign. This approach is conveyed by the Columbus Community Outreach and Education Program and Water Quality Improvement Plan, which highlight the severity of the necessity to instate preventive measures to protect public health and prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases (Columbus Government, 2024). Not only do the gravity of a water contamination issue and cultural contexts grounded in a given location influence the issue handling, but they also play a prominent role. In LMICs, the main emphasis is usually given to water and sanitation services and infrastructure development where illnesses associated with contaminated water are the leading barrier to both health and development. According to Salehi (2022), culturally appropriate public health interventions are indispensable because cultural mores, welfare and considering practices may as well bring about the ideals towards clean water, sanitation, and health-seeking habits. However, a part of overall water scarcity strategies may be associated with water quality regulation maintenance in industrialized nations apart from focusing on tackling new contaminants and encouraging sustainable water management techniques that can help to resolve the shortages (Salehi, 2022).
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