A healthier future needs urgent global action for smart, sustained investment to improve wastewater management
KEY MESSAGES: 1 Wastewater production is rising
The global population is expected to exceed nine billion people by 2050. Major growth will take place in developing countries, particularly in urban areas that already have inadequate waste- water infrastructure. The financial, environmental and social costs are projected to increase dramatically unless wastewater management receives urgent attention.
3
Improved sanitation and wastewater manage- ment are central to poverty reduction and im- proved human health
The poor are affected first and foremost by this global crisis. Over half of the world’s hospital beds are occupied by people suffering from water related diseases. Diarrhoeal diseases make up over four per cent of the global disease burden, 90 percent of which is linked to environmental pollution, a lack of access to safe drinking water and sanitation. Comprehensive and sus- tained wastewater management in combination with sanitation and hygiene is central to good health, food security, economic development and jobs. In terms of public spending on health issues, investing in improved wastewater management and the supply of safe water provides particularly high returns.
2
Wise and immediate investment will generate multiple future benefits
Immediate, targeted and sustained investments should take multiple forms. They should be designed to (i) reduce the vol- ume and extent of water pollution through preventative prac- tices; (ii) capture water once it has been polluted; (iii) treat polluted water using appropriate technologies and techniques for return to the environment; (iv) where feasible safely reuse and recycle wastewater thereby conserving water and nutri- ents; and (v) provide a platform for the development of new and innovative technologies and management practices. If in- vestments such as these are scaled up appropriately they will generate social, economic and environmental dividends far exceeding original investments for years to come.
4
Successful and sustained wastewater manage- ment will need an entirely new dimension of in- vestments, to start now
Currently, most of the wastewater infrastructure in many of the fastest growing cities is lacking. It is outdated, not designed to meet local conditions, poorly maintained and entirely unable to keep pace with rising urban populations. Experiences have shown that appropriate investments done in the right manner can provide the required returns. However, it will require not only investments, but careful and comprehensive integrated wa- ter and wastewater planning and management at national and municipal levels. This must transcend the entire water supply and disposal chain involving ecosystem management (including coastal waters), agricultural efficiency and production and treat- ment of wastewater and a stronger focus on urban planning.
11
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88