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	WHO > Health topics > Water

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

Q&A;: How does safe water impact global health?

Q&A;: How can water-related diseases be prevented during emergencies?

MULTIMEDIA

Feature
Ten facts about water scarcity

RELATED TOPICS

- Children's environmental risks
- Water, health and ecosystems
- WSPortal: health through water
- Environmental health
- Infectious diseases

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Water resources

Safe use of wastewater, excreta and greywater

Water-related disease

- More about water, sanitation and hygiene

PUBLICATIONS

Safer water, better health

Guidelines for drinking-water quality

- More publications about water

STATISTICS

Water, sanitation and health databases and statistics

Water Supply and Sanitation Monitoring

WHO PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES

Water, sanitation and hygiene

Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage

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

WHO 60th anniversary

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