Wastewater, a global problem with differing regional issues

Total fertilizers usage

Million tonnes over 1980-2002 period

Water disease related deaths

per 100 000 inhabitants

Sources: WHO database, data for 2002; FAO database; Babel et Walid, 2008: European Environment Agency, 2009; Diaz, R., et al., 2008.

Variation within Europe: Exceeding critical nutrient loading Helmand 3 55 Indus 94

less than 15 15 to 30 30 to 100

Dead zones

100 to 200 200 to 400 More than 400

910 370

45 Polluted river basins Ganges

Brahmaputra Meghna

Eutrophication equivalents (N) per hectare and year

None 0 to 200 200 to 400 400 to 700 700 to 1 200

18

Ecosystem deterioration parameter *

Severe High

Wastewater discharge (Billion cubic metres per year)

* Defined as the land ratio without vegetation coverage (forest area and wetlands) used to present the contribution of an ecosystem’s deterioration to the vulnerability of its water resources.