ABSTRACT
The obvious link between the protection and promotion of public health and access to safe and adequate water is indisputable.1 Access to safe water is essential to health which is a basic human right.2 Safe drinking water plays a major role in the overall health of human beings. It is estimated that about 70 to 80 per cent of illnesses are water and sanitation related. It must be noted that women and children suffer most from lack of access to safe water. The total number of deaths caused by malnutrition due to unsafe water, inadequate sanitation and insufficient hygiene is estimated at 860,000 per year in children under five years of age.3 Unsafe drinking water has also been identified as one of the major health problems in India. It is estimated that water and sanitationrelated infections and diseases constitute 60 to 80 per cent of all illnesses in India.4
