Drainage systems, an occluded source of sanitation related outbreaks

Blom, Kristina

In particular developing countries and to some extent also developed countries, rural areas predominantly, sanitation is inadequate resulting in diseases such as infections [2] . It is estimated that there are over 4 billion diarrheal cases per year resulting in 2.2 million deaths [2] . The major cause is exposure to excreta and wastewater where Vibrio cholerae and Salmonella typhi are notable causes of diarrheal diseases [25, 26] . Interventions focusing on sanitation has shown to reduce the percentage in diarrheal morbidity with 36% [27] . Other benefits with improved sanitation are economic and environmental gains [28] . In numbers, the return of investment is huge. Every US$1 invested on sanitation brings a $5.50 return by keeping people healthy and productive. In comparison, poor sanitation, costs countries between 0.5 and 7.2% of their gross domestic product (GDP) [28] . The potential savings and need for better quality in life has resulted in e.g. the UN-Water wastewater task force involving different stakeholders working to improve sanitation [29] .