Archive for February 22, 2010

Erkin | February 22, 2010
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Did you know…? Facts and figures about the hydrological cycle

The Earth’s hydrological cycle is the global mechanism that transfers water from the oceans to the surface and from the surface, or subsurface environments, and plants to the atmosphere that surrounds our planet.

The principal natural component processes of the hydrological cycle are: precipitation, infiltration, runoff, evaporation and transpiration.

Human activities (settlements, industry, and agricultural developments) can disturb the components of the natural cycle through land use diversions and the use, reuse and discharge of wastes into the natural surface water and groundwater pathways. Read more

Category: Facts and figures |
Erkin | February 20, 2010
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Did you know…? Facts and figures about water and health (part 2)

Global under-five mortality has fallen from 93 per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 72 per 1,000 in 2005 – a decline of 22.5% – but the pace of progress has been uneven across regions and countries. The decline has been slowest in sub-Saharan Africa.

Malnutrition accounts for about a third of the disease burden in low- and middle income countries.
Lack of access to adequate, safe food, partly related to water resources management, is one cause of malnutrition, but up to 50% of malnutrition is related to repeated diarrhea or intestinal nematode infections as a result of unclean water, inadequate sanitation or poor hygiene. Read more

Category: Article |
Erkin | February 18, 2010
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Did you know…? Facts and figures about water and health (part 1)

Every $1 invested in improved water supply and sanitation yields gains, on average, of $4-$12, depending on the type of intervention.

Almost one-tenth of the global disease burden could be prevented by improving water supply, sanitation, hygiene and management of water resources. Such improvements reduce child mortality and improve health and nutritional status in a sustainable way. Read more

Category: Facts and figures |