Waterborne disease is emerging as an increasing public health risk across both low-income regions and developed nations, driven by ageing infrastructure, climate change and growing pressure on water and wastewater systems.
New data highlights the scale of the challenge. In England alone, Environment Agency figures show more than 450,000 sewage discharges from storm overflows were recorded in 2024, equating to an average of 31.8 spills per overflow. These discharges expose communities to contaminated water and significantly exceed the UK Government’s long-term target of no more than 10 spills per overflow per year by 2050 under its Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan.
The issue is not confined to the UK. According to the World Health Organization, more than 2 billion people worldwide lack access to safely managed drinking water. Waterborne diseases are estimated to cause around 1.4 million deaths each year, with children in low-income regions particularly vulnerable to illnesses such as cholera, typhoid and acute dehydration.
Flooding and climate pressures intensify risks
Recent international data underscores how climate-driven flooding is compounding water safety challenges. UNICEF reports that more than 178,000 cholera cases were recorded across 16 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa between January 2024 and March 2025, with outbreaks linked to inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure.
Major flood events have also been associated with spikes in typhoid and other faecal-oral diseases in countries including Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, as floodwaters overwhelm sanitation systems and contaminate drinking water supplies. Flooding places millions at immediate risk of exposure to unsafe water, particularly in densely populated or poorly serviced areas.
Experts warn that the combination of extreme weather, ageing assets and insufficient treatment capacity is creating a convergence of risks that affects communities regardless of income level.
Public health challenge across all regions
Nicolas Barbieri, Chief Commercial Officer at Hydrachem, said the growing threat highlights a shared global challenge.
“We are witnessing a combination of crises that threaten water safety globally,” he said. “Whether it’s ageing infrastructure in the UK struggling to cope with increased rainfall, or communities in flood-affected regions facing immediate contamination risks, the fundamental challenge is the same – ensuring access to safe, clean water.”
Hydrachem works with aid agencies, governments and healthcare providers to support emergency water treatment in crisis situations, including floods, infrastructure failures and humanitarian emergencies.
“Everyone deserves protection from invisible threats in the water they drink,” Barbieri added. “Whether you are a local authority managing an outbreak or an aid agency responding to a flood, rapid and effective water purification at the point of use is critical.”
Prevention as well as response
With five decades of experience in water purification and infection control, Hydrachem is calling for greater awareness, preventative action and improved access to proven hygiene solutions to reduce the risk of outbreaks escalating into wider public health emergencies.
“Stopping waterborne disease from becoming a widespread health crisis is not just about emergency response,” Barbieri said. “It requires ongoing vigilance, resilient infrastructure and practical solutions that can be deployed quickly when systems fail.”
As climate change continues to intensify rainfall, flooding and drought cycles, experts warn that safeguarding drinking water quality will remain a central challenge for public health, utilities and governments worldwide.
