Safe Drinking Water: The Need and Challenges in Developing Countries

Safe or potable water is water which quality is suitable for human consumption both for drinking or cooking purposes. Safe and potable drinking water is an inevitable factor for a robust healthy society, but clean water for drinking and domestic purpose still remains inaccessible to 1.1 million people on a global scale. The importance of potable water can never be overestimated because of its benefits of providing a number of useful services for humans and the ecosystem. Water contributes directly and indirectly to the GDP of a country when tailored properly. While the majority of the population in developing countries lives in cities, supply and access to safe drinking water in sufficient quantity and quality for all urban dwellers sits at a crossroads between environmental issues. For instance the issue of available freshwater resources, and development issues, through the implied social, economic and sanitation challenges still remain unsolved. In order to achieve quality drinking water in fostering human development, some vital issues that pose challenges must be taken into good consideration. This chapter has discussed safe drinking water in view of its benefits and challenges as it affects developing countries.