Contaminated water also transmits cholera, typhoid, infectious hepatitis, poliomyelitis, and intestinal worms. At least 100 million children 5-14 years old are infected with the waterborne infection schistosomiasis, caused by a waterborne parasite transmitted by snails. About 200 million people have schistosomiasis, and some 200,000 die each year from this chronic, debilitating disease. Currently, human excreta is the most serious source of water pollution. It is estimated that over 5 million people die each year from diseases related to inadequate waste disposal systems.
Industrialized countries generate by far the largest amounts of toxic and hazardous wastes.
A 1987 estimate puts hazardous wastes production in these countries at up to 375 million tons a year. Clean, safe water is essential to child health, child development, the family's ability to be self- sustaining . The major thrust of this effort will start in Kenya. We are launching a long term program that within the first three years, will bring water to 600,000 rural Kenyans.