By Bisola Adeyemo
World Health Organisation (WHO) has said poorly maintained drainage systems can result in various health issues, due to the increase in waterborne diseases and unsanitary conditions.
The organization added that poorly drained stormwater forms stagnant pools, causing breeding sites for disease vectors.
Because of this, some diseases are more common in the wet or rainy season than in the dry season.
Contaminated air and water will have an irritable effect on eczema, fever, asthma and a bunch of other airborne allergies. This is because of the harmful bacteria that a blockage will diffuse into the home’s air and water.
According to WHO, “Poor clogged drainage can lead to flooding, resulting in property loss, and people may even be forced to move to escape floodwaters. Flooding may also damage water supply infrastructure and contaminate domestic water sources.
In areas where drainage and sanitation are poor, water runs over the ground during rainstorms, picks up faeces and contaminates water sources. This contributes significantly to the spread of diseases such as typhoid and cholera, and as well as improving the likelihood of contracting worm infections from soil contaminated by faeces.”
Explaining methods of improving clogged drainage, findings by NatureNews correspondent, citing WHO, revealed, “Designing and constructing drainage systems require expert advice from engineers to ensure that water flows away quickly and smoothly
“Drainage installed by one community should not create problems for other communities downstream, nor should it affect ecologically important sites. Environmental considerations should be given adequate attention to greater health problems in the future.
“Also, often, community members must participate in maintaining drains. Residents can indulge in cleaning the drains in front of their houses every day and this should be inspector by the community heads.’’