The challenge: Cleaning the world's water

摘要

The world's water resources are under growing pressure both in terms of quality and quantity, as population rise is giving demand to a global increase in the need for fresh water, and quality is being compromised by escalating pollution on ground and surface waters. Hazards to water resources are not solely confined to drinking. Contaminated water can pose environmental threats to ecosystems and lead to waterborne diseases. Some waters, polluted by nutrients, can also be a breeding ground for weeds and algae, which diminishes the dissolved oxygen levels in water, and creates a toxic environment for aquatic life. Though the picture may look bleak, there are innovative technologies available to turn what seems like a highly challenging task into an increased clean resource for both human and aquatic life. These solutions are vital for both industrialised and developing countries.