3. Protect water resources

Environmental protection extends to water resources. The Prophet (~ ) prohibited urination in stagnant water, and science has discovered that many diseases are transmitted through this unhealthy habit. The contamination of water by sewage systems causes the spread of many bacterial, viral and amoebic waterborne diseases like gastroenteritis, typhoid, cholera, amoebic dysentery and hepatitis. At present there is disastrous abuse of the earth's fresh water supply. Rivers and lakes have become a handy dump site for industrial waste and biological contaminants. The clearest example is the contamination of the Great Lakes. The largest reserve of fresh water on the surface of the earth is suffering from a striking deterioration of its water quality. The whole ecosystem is suffocating as a result of industrial and municipal contamination in addition to the discharge from sewage treatment plants. The Great Lakes Basin's population has been subjected to increasing health hazards manifested as higher incidences of cancer and lower fertility · 354 Bukhari . rates. This is accompanied by the huge threat to the area's wildlife and marine resources. 355 Our Prophet (~) also prohibited us from wasting water. «One day he (~) found a man performing ablution using too much water. The Prophet commented, "What is this extravagance?" The man asked, "Does this also apply to water?" The Prophet replied, "Even if it comes from a running river."» 356