Climate change creates more extreme weather and leads to changes in land use. Water shortages, floods and high temperatures threaten human health and increase the risk of illness and death. This requires adaptations. 

World population growth levels off, but more people live close together in cities. In these circumstances, disease can spread more easily. Water quality is threatened by increased solid waste and sewage. As more areas are paved, the chances of heat stress increase.

Production of food and goods generate high levels of waste, as do urban areas. Pollutants are often discharged into surface water or enter the soil and groundwater. In many places, groundwater is an important source of drinking water. 

Dams and dikes are used to prevent water shortages and floods, or to generate energy, but they can have negative effects on water quality and ecology. Adequate housing, passable roads, reliable electricity, clean and safe drinking water, sanitation and other facilities can protect people. 

Too much or not enough water has consequences for human health as well as for nature. Both can lead to a lack of safe drinking water, poor hygiene, food scarcity, migration and conflicts. 

Using poor quality (ground)water poses health risks. When the local ecology is disrupted, harmful organisms can thrive and spread disease. 

Drinking, bathing, or other uses of poor quality water, expose people to pollution and pathogens.

Disturbed water systems can become breeding sites for mosquitoes and rats that may transmit disease.

Lack of water and water of poor quality will eventually lead to various health impacts, such as injury, disease, lack of basic necessities and stress. Conversely, clean and safe water can make us healthier. 

Hospitals, doctors and other health professionals must deal with the effects of water-related complaints.

Monitoring water quantity and quality increases understanding of the influences and processes involved. With this, timely precautions can be taken, such as early warnings for pollution events or floods. 

Deltares’ knowledge of water systems complements medical expertise. Together, we can reduce water-related health risks. 

Deltares makes global (early warning) models for flooding, water shortages and water quality. Early warnings about flooding or pollution can greatly reduce the health effects of climate change and other disasters.

With models we can imitate reality without having to measure everything precisely. By applying various scenarios, the effect of interventions can be simulated and evaluated.

Worldwide, safety plans make water systems more resilient to climate change. This will benefit human health. 

Although floods and other disasters cannot always be prevented, governments are better prepared to deal with their effects by having multi-hazard plans. These give an overview of actions that need to be carried out in the case of disasters, resulting in fewer negative health effects.

Integrated water and land management for food, drinking, energy, ecosystems and other uses is aimed at maximising economic and social welfare. With holistic knowledge of water systems, human health risks can be taken into account in water and land management. 

Nature-based solutions target major challenges, such as climate change, disaster risk reduction, food and water security, biodiversity and human health. Implementing these solutions make the areas climate resilient and will support the health of people and nature. 

With its specific knowledge on water and subsurface in relation to human health, Deltares is well placed to advise on policy at various levels.

The transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy, while necessary to mitigate climate change, has its own health risks. Advice, for example on solar panels, wind turbines or geothermal energy, includes effects on biodiversity and (ground)water quality to prevent health risks.