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The Global Water Crisis: What Travelers Need To Know

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Travelers use water in all kinds of ways: they drink it, and brush their teeth and bathe with it, yet how many know there is a serious water shortage in some countries and regions, and what impact it might have on them?

“Travelers tend to be poor water stewards as they are often unaware of the water crisis in many parts of the world and just how fragile that part of the infrastructure is,” said Katherine Harmon,who oversees health analysis for WorldAware, a travel risk management company.

There are health concerns where water is sparse and also where there is an overabundance, Harmon said. “The concern will really only worsen in coming years.”

Sparse water conditions can lead to poor sanitation, which often gets jumbled into the available groundwater and can cause illnesses like cholera and diarrhea. But, there are other things to be more aware about, like remembering that water is used to wash pots and pans, dishes, fruit and vegetables, so even if a traveler drinks bottled water, the possibility of contamination from these other sources may be high depending on location.

To compound the problem, the hospitality industry is often reticent about enforcing “water rules” because they do not want to dampen a visitor’s enjoyment, Harmon said, noting that water rationing and restrictions have been put in place in a wide range of destinations recently, including California, Rome, Puerto Rico, Bolivia, South Africa, and São Paulo, Brazil.

And flooding often carries diseases downstream and in standing water where embankments overflow or there is poor drainage, and agricultural waste often get washed into these areas.

“More developed regions will note this and issue a “boil water” warning, but travelers often miss this and poorer areas do not have the capacity to communicate these alerts to the general public,” Harmon said. She noted there is an elevated risk of gastrointestinal diseases, but also of displaced wildlife and a boom in insect-borne diseases as the waters recede. And there is often a heavy increase in incidents of West Nile Virus, dengue, chikungunya, zika, and other mosquito-borne diseases a week or so after monsoon rains or heavy seasonal precipitation.

Even where freshwater is seemingly abundant, it may not be “clean, ” like in Thailand, Harmon said.

She recommends some preventive measures:

Always wash hands, it’s the “best defense”

Alcohol based hand sanitizers in water poor areas can substitute for hand washing, but washing hands is still preferred whenever possible.

Avoid drinks with ice

That includes in flight drinks. Airplanes usually tank up with local tap water and then it sits and stagnates in holding tanks. There’s a device called a Steripen that people can travel with. It’s a UVC light that kills most viruses and bacteria. It takes a few minutes but it’s a nifty little thing to sterilize water when you go to brush your teeth.

Consider vaccinations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has lightened up on cholera vaccinations now so if travelers are going to a cholera prone area, they can ask their travel clinician for a vaccine. It isn’t completely effective but coupled with hand washing with soap and water it helps reduce the chance of catching it. Pepto Bismol is effective against mild forms of common diarrheal ailments. Those allergic to aspirin shouldn’t take it though.

Always drink bottled water

Even pristine sources and excellent treated and piped in water can cause some stomach upset with minerals or chemicals people aren’t used to.

Boiling water may not help

Boiling water and other sterilization methods will NOT reduce chemical contamination (think Flint). In fact, boiling the water concentrates most chemical contaminants as things like lead and other heavy metals won’t evaporate. Also, if there are really harmful contaminants in local groundwater, there is a risk of bioaccumulation in local plant and animal life, like mercury in fish.

Research BEFORE traveling                                                              

The Global Water Forum and Water.org  and are two good resources with up-to-date information.   

Also worth checking: the CDC, and the U.S. Department of State for its country specific  information and travel advisories.

 

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