Clean Water for All
Environment
Global water availability is limited. Water is being wasted by the rich, becoming unaffordable for the poor and polluted by both. Privatisation is being promoted as the best way of making adequate supplies of safe water available in poor countries. Despite growing concerns about their environmental and social impacts, large dams are still being constructed to 'assure' water supplies in places where efficient water systems could be employed with minimal impacts. Investment in water could save an estimated 125 billion dollars a year in medical expenses and costs associated with lower productivity related to preventable water-related diseases.
What are the political, educational and technical changes needed to ensure sufficient clean water for all? How can a global clean water program be implemented? How can areas of extreme water shortages best be dealt with? How can urban wastewater be used in food production? Which technical solutions work best and in which circumstances? How can sustainable water supplies for future generations be safeguarded?
