Final answer:
The deaths of 2.2 million people from diseases associated with impure water highlight the impact of pollution, a key component of the global water crisis. Substantial mortality, especially in children under five, is due to poor water quality, inadequate sanitation, and insufficient hygiene, with chemical pollution further threatening water safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The global water crisis entails issues beyond scarcity, encompassing severe problems with water pollution that render it unsafe for drinking and irrigation. Unsafe drinking water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene lead to approximately 1.7 million deaths from diarrheal diseases each year, predominantly in developing countries and mostly among children under five. Waterborne illnesses such as typhoid, cholera, and diarrhea, due to contaminated water, contribute significantly to global morbidity and mortality rates. The crisis is compounded by social injustice, as those in poorer communities are more likely to lack access to clean water and sanitation compared to the wealthy in similar regions. Addressing water safety, sanitation, and hygiene could prevent a substantial percentage of disease and death worldwide.
Additionally, chemical pollutants from agriculture, industry, urbanization, and mining contribute significantly to water quality issues. This is a matter of serious concern globally, with over 40,000 water bodies in the U.S. alone being classified as 'impaired' by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Water pollution is consistently ranked as a top environmental concern in Gallup public polls, highlighting its significance in the public consciousness.