Things to be Thankful for: Access to Clean Water

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the things we are grateful to have, like family and great helpings of food on our plates. However, rarely do we think about those things we take for granted each day that people all over the world don't have access too-- like clean drinking water.

Currently 884 million people in the world lack access to safe water supplies. Of those 884 million, more than 840,000 of them will die this year from a water-related disease. Not to mention, every minute a child dies of a water-related disease.

In the United States, we are incredibly fortunate to have access to clean water right at our fingertips. Unlike in developing countries, we have drinking water running through every faucet! We don't have to worry about where our next drink will come from or if it will be contaminated. In areas such as Sub-Saharan Africa, women spend their days collecting water from sources miles away from their village that are often polluted.

However, access to clean drinking is not just a problem affecting third world countries. After Hurricane Maria hit the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico in December, there have been long lasting issues with the water system. This has left 70% of the island without clean drinking water since the occurrence. Medical professionals across the island have seen an influx in patients exhibiting gastrointestinal illnesses characteristic of those contracted from contaminated water. Among the more serious are the 74 cases of leptospirosis-- a dangerous bacteria caused by rat feces-- including 2 reported deaths.

This Thanksgiving we should be grateful for our unlimited access to clean drinking water, a privilege not everyone in the world has.