Final answer:
Clean drinking water accessibility is limited in developing countries, with 2.2 billion people lacking safely managed drinking water and a greater number lacking proper sanitation. The issue results in serious health risks, especially for children. Sustainable water treatment alternatives and investments in sanitation show promise for improving the situation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Access to clean drinking water is a significant issue in developing countries. While those in the developed world can easily open a tap to find safe water, many in developing regions must travel long distances to fetch water, which may not always be safe to consume. The global water crisis is exacerbated by factors such as water pollution, inadequate sanitation, and the high cost of building traditional sewage treatment facilities.
A staggering 2.2 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water, and even more lack proper sanitation, resulting in nearly 300,000 children dying each year from diarrheal diseases linked to poor water and sanitation conditions. To combat these challenges, cheaper and more sustainable solutions for water treatment, such as chlorination, filters, solar disinfection, and constructed wetlands technology, are being employed.
While financial aid is often necessary to improve water access and sanitation in the developing world, the benefits of investing in these areas can be significant, leading not only to decreased healthcare costs but also to improved productivity and prevented deaths. Effective water safety, sanitation, and hygiene efforts could prevent a substantial portion of global disease and death.