However, much of the time the problem is that the water is not clean, and then it can be as dangerous as it is useful. According to the World Health Organization, more than 70 percent of all hospitalized people got sick from drinking bad or polluted water. In 1981, more than 86,000 people were hospitalized in the Pacific Island countries from drinking bad water. Nobody knows how many island people get poisoned with things like lead, weed killers, or pesticides in the water we drink. Polluted water does not often kill people but it makes people feel tired, unhappy and sick.
Polluted water does the worst damage to little children.
Babies and little children who get sick from bad water can die or can be hurt for life. Life is hard enough without getting sick. Becoming smart and strong should be every child's right, and it is up to the adults to make sure the children get good clean water to drink. Water that makes you sick may not be a problem all the time. It is worse when there is very little water because of no rain.