Waterborne diseases (Ref.- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterborne_diseases)

Waterborne diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms which are directly transmitted when contaminated drinking water is consumed. Contaminated drinking water used in the preparation of food can be the source of foodborne disease through consumption of the same microorganisms. According to the World Health Organization, diarrhea disease accounts for an estimated 4.1% of the total DAILY global burden of disease and is responsible for the deaths of 1.8 million people every year. It was estimated that 88% of that burden is attributable to unsafe water supply, sanitation and hygiene and is mostly concentrated on children in developing countries

Waterborne disease can be caused by protozoa, viruses, bacteria, and intestinal parasites.

As water supplying infrastructures deteriorate or are stressed by the ever increasing demand, the risk of severe epidemics of waterborne diseases increases proportionally! Water treatment plants add chlorine to kill germs as water travels many miles through pipes to your tap. While the amount of chlorine added is regulated and not considered dangerous, it can affect taste and odor of the water. Apart from this, some waterborne infectious micro-organisms like Cryptosporidium resist such disinfectants as chlorine because the hard outer shell (oocyst) serves as a protector of the micro-organism. Some waterborne infectious micro-organisms like Cryptosporidium resist such disinfectants as chlorine because the hard outer shell (oocyst) serves as a protector of the micro-organism.