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.

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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.

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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.

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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 It is outdated, not designed to meet local conditions, poorly maintained and entirely unable to keep pace with rising urban populations.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.

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