SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Report: Four billion lack safe water

Safe drinking water is a scarce commodity for over 4.4 billion people. A crucial reason is the spread of faecal bacteria in drinking water, according to a new research report that has used new methods to examine water availability.

» Published: 19 August 2024

Report: Four billion lack safe water
Photo: Channi Anand/AP/TT

The esteemed scientific journal Science has published a research report that questions previous information on how large a proportion of the world's population has access to safe drinking water.

The new research report shows that "more than 4.4 billion people in poor countries lack safe drinking water, a number that is more than double previous estimates", writes Science editor Jesse Smith in a comment.

135 countries

According to the report, inhabitants in 135 low- and middle-income countries do not have access to drinking water that is considered entirely safe. The populations most affected are those in southern Asia, eastern Asia, and countries south of the Sahara in Africa.

The main reason is the presence and spread of E. coli bacteria, primarily from feces. The calculation also includes the lack of, for example, drinking water wells in people's proximity, or that entire areas are completely dry.

In a report from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020, it was established that around two billion people lacked acceptable drinking water resources.

New measurement methods

The new result is due, among other things, to the use of more sophisticated measurement systems. Researchers have combined previous data with so-called geospatial measurements, where the actual reality has been examined through, among other things, digital maps where areas have been measured three-dimensionally.

Access to clean drinking water is one of the goals set out in the UN's agenda for sustainable development by 2030, and is considered a fundamental human right.

The comprehensive research report was funded by the Swiss national science foundation (SNSF).

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

South Korea: What North Korea gets from Russia
1 MIN READ

South Korea: What North Korea gets from Russia

At Least Two Dead in Russian Attack on Sumy
1 MIN READ

At Least Two Dead in Russian Attack on Sumy

Expert: Putin's robot attack a political marking
2 MIN READ

Expert: Putin's robot attack a political marking

Scattering Ashes at Machu Picchu – Security Tightened
1 MIN READ

Scattering Ashes at Machu Picchu – Security Tightened

Zelensky: Putin is testing you
1 MIN READ

Zelensky: Putin is testing you

Biden: ICC Order Scandalous
1 MIN READ

Biden: ICC Order Scandalous

Trump chooses new minister after Gaetz's resignation
2 MIN READ

Trump chooses new minister after Gaetz's resignation

Norway: Suspected spy worked at the US Embassy
1 MIN READ

Norway: Suspected spy worked at the US Embassy

Pistorius does not want to take over power from Scholz
1 MIN READ

Pistorius does not want to take over power from Scholz

40 People Killed in Attack in Pakistan
1 MIN READ

40 People Killed in Attack in Pakistan

Police Investigation: Prosecute Bolsonaro for Coup Attempt
1 MIN READ

Police Investigation: Prosecute Bolsonaro for Coup Attempt

Reports: North Korean General Injured in Ukraine
1 MIN READ

Reports: North Korean General Injured in Ukraine

Gaetz drops out after suspicions of buying sex
2 MIN READ

Gaetz drops out after suspicions of buying sex

USA imposes new sanctions on Russia
1 MIN READ

USA imposes new sanctions on Russia

Russia significantly increases defense budget
1 MIN READ

Russia significantly increases defense budget

Foreign Minister: Sweden Supports the ICC's Work
2 MIN READ

Foreign Minister: Sweden Supports the ICC's Work

Expert: ICC decision puts Germany in a difficult situation
2 MIN READ

Expert: ICC decision puts Germany in a difficult situation

ICC: Netanyahu and Gallant guilty of war crimes
3 MIN READ

ICC: Netanyahu and Gallant guilty of war crimes

Trump's choice of minister investigated for assault
2 MIN READ

Trump's choice of minister investigated for assault

Kristersson on the attack: Trying to intimidate the West
2 MIN READ

Kristersson on the attack: Trying to intimidate the West