While water is essential for sustenance of human life, it can as well create problems concerning human health being a carrier of vectors for diseases such as typhoid, cholera, diarrhoea, malaria, filariasis, shistosomiasis etc. if mismanaged. Water development projects have, however, contributed positively to the human health in the country.

Among the human health benefits, the important one is improved diets resulting from an increased production of staple foods, new opportunity of growing fruits and vegetables and increased purchasing power for foods not produced by those on farm. Other nutrition improvement is due to development of pisciculture and better facilities for feeding and watering the domestic livestock which can also improve diet and income considerably. The development of water development projects not only enabled the country to overcome floods and drought but also have provided enough food and fibre for the ever increasing population.

Water development projects have facilities in providing safe water for human consumption, considering scarcity of water now faced in most parts of the country.

         Almost all the projects implemented in the country provide water for domestic purpose although primarily some of the projects were not meant for this purpose. With 80-90 per cent precipitation accruing during monsoon only, it has become imperative to store water for domestic use. Water supply also has helped to keep populated areas clean and hygienic through better drainage and improved sanitation. Water supply has thus contributed in improvement of health.