Knowra Water, sanitation and hygiene Water, sanitation and hygiene Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is a public-health field that links safe water access, sanitation services, and hygiene practices to prevent disease and support well-being.
Fecal–oral route : A transmission pathway in which pathogens from feces enter another person through the mouth. Safe water, sanitation, and handwashing block different links in this pathway.
Water supply : The infrastructure and services that provide water for domestic, commercial, and public use. Reliable supply determines whether households can meet drinking and hygiene needs.
Diarrheal disease : Illness characterized by frequent loose or watery stools, often caused by infectious agents. Unsafe water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene contribute to preventable cases.
Water scarcity : A condition in which water demand exceeds available supplies or access to usable water is limited. Scarcity constrains reliable household supply and can undermine hygiene practices.
Water, sanitation and hygiene in development : The integration of WASH services into long-term development planning and programs. Development programs emphasize durable systems, unlike WASH responses focused on immediate crisis needs.
Waterborne disease : An illness caused by pathogens transmitted through contaminated water. Water treatment and protected sources reduce this major WASH transmission risk.
On-site sanitation : Sanitation systems that collect or treat excreta at or near the place where it is produced. It serves households beyond centralized sewer networks.
Cholera : An acute diarrheal infection caused by toxigenic strains of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Outbreaks expose failures in safe water and sanitation, while WASH measures help control spread.
Water quality : The chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water that determine its suitability for use. A source may be accessible yet unsafe because contamination can occur throughout delivery and storage.
Water, sanitation and hygiene in humanitarian emergencies : WASH interventions that protect health and dignity during disasters, conflict, and displacement. Emergency operations prioritize rapid minimum services when stable infrastructure is unavailable.
Show all 28