62 Health Problems from Unsafe Water
The Right to Enough Safe Water
Around the world people are working to protect their right to health, including
the right to a good supply of safe water. Private companies say they can
provide better service than governments and still make a profit. But when
private companies take control of water services (called water privatization),
prices often go up, forcing people to use less water than they need for good
health. Many people then have no choice but to collect water wherever they
can for free, even if the water is contaminated with germs, worms, or toxic
chemicals. This leads to serious health problems.
Governments and communities must work together to improve and extend
water systems so they provide a safe and sufficient supply of water, especially
for those most in need.
Partnership improves the water supply
In Ghana, West Africa, community groups have taken control of their
water supply. In the town of Savelugu, the government-owned Ghana Water
Company supplies piped water, and community members are responsible
for pricing, distribution, and repair of the water system. They call this a
“government-community partnership.”
Because the community is responsible for managing the water,
safe and sufficient water is guaranteed by popular decision
making. If some people cannot afford to pay for water, the
community pays for
their water until they
can afford to pay.
People’s needs are met
not because they have
money to pay, but
because they are part
of the community. The
Ghana Water Company
benefits because the
community always pays
them for supplying the water.
Savelugu’s community-based
system is being used as a model for
towns throughout Ghana. By managing their own water system, the people of
Savelugu have shown that privatization is not the only way to provide water.
Since their government-community partnership began, there is less illness, and
everyone has enough water.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012