Waterborne diseases can have a significant impact on any economy, locally and internationally. People who are infected by waterborne diseases are usually confronted with related costs and not seldom with a huge financial burden. This is especially the case in less developed countries.

The financial losses are mostly caused by e.g. costs for medical treatment and medication, costs for transport, special food, and by the loss of manpower. Many families must even sell their land to pay for treatment in a proper hospital. On average, a family spends about 10% of the monthly households income