Water, Sanitation and Health in Developing Countries: How Far from Sustainable Development?
The availability of water in adequate quantity and
quality is imperative for sustainable development. Worldwide,
significant imbalance exists with regards to sustainable development
particularly from a water and sanitation perspective. Water is a
critical component of public health, and failure to supply safe water
will place a heavy burden on the entire population. Although the 21st
century has witnessed wealth and advanced development, it has not
been realized everywhere. Billions of people are still striving to
access the most basic human needs which are food, shelter, safe
drinking water and adequate sanitation. The global picture conceals
various inequalities particularly with regards to sanitation coverage in
rural and urban areas. Currently, water scarcity and in particular
water governance is the main challenge which will cause a threat to
sustainable development goals. Within the context of water,
sanitation and health, sustainable development is a confusing concept
primarily when examined from the viewpoint of policy options for
developing countries. This perspective paper aims to summarize and
critically evaluate evidence of published studies in relation to water,
sanitation and health and to identify relevant solutions to reduce
public health impacts. Evidently, improving water and sanitation
services will result in significant and lasting gains in health and
economic development.
[1] Breen, C.M., Biggs, H., Dent, M.C., Gorgens, A., Keeffe, J.O. and
Rogers, K.H. (1995). Designing a research program to promote river
basin management, Water Science and Technology, 32(5-6), 103-109.
[2] Clark, J.R. (1995). Coastal Zone Management Handbook. CRC Press,
Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton/New York/London.
[3] CNES (Citizen Network on Essential Services) (2003). Approaches to
Sanitation Services. Water and Domestic Policy Issues A5, 12.
[4] Giroult, E. (1995). Public health significance of coastal and sea
pollution, Water Science and Technology, 32(9-10), 11-16.
[5] Ha, S.R. and Pokhrel, D. (2001). Water quality management planning
zone development by introducing a GIS tool in Kathmandu valley,
Nepal, Water Science and Technology, 44(7), 209-221.
[6] Kundzewicz, Z.W. (1997) Water resources for sustainable
development. Hydrological Sciences, 42(4), 467-480.
[7] Markandya, A. (2004). Water Quality Issues in Developing Countries.
World Bank and University of Bath Contribution to a Volume on
Essays in Environment and Development (J. Stiglitz, ed.).
[8] Massoud, M.A., El-Fadel, M., Scrimshaw, M.D. and Lester, J.N.
(2006). Factors influencing development of management strategies for
the Abou Ali River in Lebanon I: Spatial Variation and Land Use.
Science of the Total Environment, 362, 15-30.
[9] Massoud, M.A., Tarhini, A. and Nasr, J. (2009). Decentralized
Approaches to Wastewater Treatment and Management: Applicability
in Developing Countries. Journal of Environmental Management,
90(1), pp. 652-659.
[10] Moe, C.L. and Rheingans, R.D. (2006). Global Challenges in Water,
Sanitation and Health, Journal of Water and Health, 04.Suppl.
[11] Nathan, H.S.K. and Reddy, B.S. (2008) A conceptual framework for
development of sustainable development indicators, Indira Gandhi
Institute of Development Research, Mumbai.
[12] OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development)
(2008). OECD Environmental Outlook to 2030, www.oecd.org.
[13] Paraskevas, P.A., Giokas, D.L. and Lekkas, T.D. (2002). Wastewater
management in coastal urban areas: the case of Greece, Water Science
and Technology, 46(8), 177-186.
[14] Paraskevas, P.A., Giokas, D.L., and Lekkas, T.D. (2002).Wastewater
management in coastal urban areas: the case of Greece. Water Science
and Technology, 46 (8), 177-186.
[15] Qua-Enoo, A.B., Schendel, K. and Quinn, N. (2006) South Africa-s
reserve: Challenges and recommendations for implementing
sustainable development policies, Journal of Environmental
Assessment Policy and Management, 8(1), 61-83.
[16] Schultz, G.A. (2000). Potential of Modern Data Types for Future
Water Resources Management, Water International, 25, 96.109.
[17] Starkl, M. and Brunner, N. (2004). Feasibility versus sustainability in
urban water management, Journal of Environmental Management, 71,
245-260.
[18] Thia-Eng, C., Yu, H. and Guoqiang, C. (1998). From sectoral to
integrated coastal management: a case in Xiamen, China, Ocean and
Coastal Management, 37(2), 233-251.
[19] Thompson, T. and Khan, S. (2003) Situation analysis and
epidemiology of infectious disease transmission: a South-Asian
regional perspective, International Journal of Environmental Health
Research, 13, S29-S39.
[20] UN (United Nations) (2004) Obstacles Faced by Developing Countries
in Meeting Water, Sanitation Needs Highlighted in Sustainable
Development Commission, ENV/DEV/767.
[21] UN (United Nations) (2007) Indicators of Sustainable Development:
Guidelines and Methodologies. 3rd ed. Department of Economic and
Social Affairs, United Nations, New York.
[22] UNDP (2007). Human Development Report, 2007/2008. Palgrave
Macmillan, New York.
[23] UNESCO-WWAP (United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization World Water Assessment Programme) (2003)
Water for People, Water for Life. The United Nations World Water
Development Report. Barcelona: UNESCO and Berghahn Books.
[24] UN-Water (2009). Transboundary Waters: Shared Waters, Shared
Opportunities. www.worldwaterday09.info.
[25] Walmsley, R.D. and Pretorius, J.P.R. (1996). Environmental
Indicators. Report No. 1. State of the environment series. Department
of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Pretoria, 76 pp.
[26] Weigert, F.B. and Steinberg, C.E.W. (2002). Sustainable development
- assessment of water resource management measures, Water Science
and Technology, 46(6-7), 55-62.
[27] WHO (World Health Organization) (2004) Evaluation of the Costs and
Benefits of Water and Sanitation Improvements at the Global level,
http://www.who.int.
[28] WHO and UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) (2008.
Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation: Special Focus on
Sanitation, UNICEF, New York and WHO, Geneva.
[29] WHO/UNICEF (World Health Organization and United Nations
Children's Fund). (2004) Meeting the MDG Drinking Water and
Sanitation: A Mid-Term Assessment of Progress. Geneva,
WHO/UNICEF.
[1] Breen, C.M., Biggs, H., Dent, M.C., Gorgens, A., Keeffe, J.O. and
Rogers, K.H. (1995). Designing a research program to promote river
basin management, Water Science and Technology, 32(5-6), 103-109.
[2] Clark, J.R. (1995). Coastal Zone Management Handbook. CRC Press,
Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton/New York/London.
[3] CNES (Citizen Network on Essential Services) (2003). Approaches to
Sanitation Services. Water and Domestic Policy Issues A5, 12.
[4] Giroult, E. (1995). Public health significance of coastal and sea
pollution, Water Science and Technology, 32(9-10), 11-16.
[5] Ha, S.R. and Pokhrel, D. (2001). Water quality management planning
zone development by introducing a GIS tool in Kathmandu valley,
Nepal, Water Science and Technology, 44(7), 209-221.
[6] Kundzewicz, Z.W. (1997) Water resources for sustainable
development. Hydrological Sciences, 42(4), 467-480.
[7] Markandya, A. (2004). Water Quality Issues in Developing Countries.
World Bank and University of Bath Contribution to a Volume on
Essays in Environment and Development (J. Stiglitz, ed.).
[8] Massoud, M.A., El-Fadel, M., Scrimshaw, M.D. and Lester, J.N.
(2006). Factors influencing development of management strategies for
the Abou Ali River in Lebanon I: Spatial Variation and Land Use.
Science of the Total Environment, 362, 15-30.
[9] Massoud, M.A., Tarhini, A. and Nasr, J. (2009). Decentralized
Approaches to Wastewater Treatment and Management: Applicability
in Developing Countries. Journal of Environmental Management,
90(1), pp. 652-659.
[10] Moe, C.L. and Rheingans, R.D. (2006). Global Challenges in Water,
Sanitation and Health, Journal of Water and Health, 04.Suppl.
[11] Nathan, H.S.K. and Reddy, B.S. (2008) A conceptual framework for
development of sustainable development indicators, Indira Gandhi
Institute of Development Research, Mumbai.
[12] OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development)
(2008). OECD Environmental Outlook to 2030, www.oecd.org.
[13] Paraskevas, P.A., Giokas, D.L. and Lekkas, T.D. (2002). Wastewater
management in coastal urban areas: the case of Greece, Water Science
and Technology, 46(8), 177-186.
[14] Paraskevas, P.A., Giokas, D.L., and Lekkas, T.D. (2002).Wastewater
management in coastal urban areas: the case of Greece. Water Science
and Technology, 46 (8), 177-186.
[15] Qua-Enoo, A.B., Schendel, K. and Quinn, N. (2006) South Africa-s
reserve: Challenges and recommendations for implementing
sustainable development policies, Journal of Environmental
Assessment Policy and Management, 8(1), 61-83.
[16] Schultz, G.A. (2000). Potential of Modern Data Types for Future
Water Resources Management, Water International, 25, 96.109.
[17] Starkl, M. and Brunner, N. (2004). Feasibility versus sustainability in
urban water management, Journal of Environmental Management, 71,
245-260.
[18] Thia-Eng, C., Yu, H. and Guoqiang, C. (1998). From sectoral to
integrated coastal management: a case in Xiamen, China, Ocean and
Coastal Management, 37(2), 233-251.
[19] Thompson, T. and Khan, S. (2003) Situation analysis and
epidemiology of infectious disease transmission: a South-Asian
regional perspective, International Journal of Environmental Health
Research, 13, S29-S39.
[20] UN (United Nations) (2004) Obstacles Faced by Developing Countries
in Meeting Water, Sanitation Needs Highlighted in Sustainable
Development Commission, ENV/DEV/767.
[21] UN (United Nations) (2007) Indicators of Sustainable Development:
Guidelines and Methodologies. 3rd ed. Department of Economic and
Social Affairs, United Nations, New York.
[22] UNDP (2007). Human Development Report, 2007/2008. Palgrave
Macmillan, New York.
[23] UNESCO-WWAP (United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization World Water Assessment Programme) (2003)
Water for People, Water for Life. The United Nations World Water
Development Report. Barcelona: UNESCO and Berghahn Books.
[24] UN-Water (2009). Transboundary Waters: Shared Waters, Shared
Opportunities. www.worldwaterday09.info.
[25] Walmsley, R.D. and Pretorius, J.P.R. (1996). Environmental
Indicators. Report No. 1. State of the environment series. Department
of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Pretoria, 76 pp.
[26] Weigert, F.B. and Steinberg, C.E.W. (2002). Sustainable development
- assessment of water resource management measures, Water Science
and Technology, 46(6-7), 55-62.
[27] WHO (World Health Organization) (2004) Evaluation of the Costs and
Benefits of Water and Sanitation Improvements at the Global level,
http://www.who.int.
[28] WHO and UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) (2008.
Progress on Drinking Water and Sanitation: Special Focus on
Sanitation, UNICEF, New York and WHO, Geneva.
[29] WHO/UNICEF (World Health Organization and United Nations
Children's Fund). (2004) Meeting the MDG Drinking Water and
Sanitation: A Mid-Term Assessment of Progress. Geneva,
WHO/UNICEF.
@article{"International Journal of Business, Human and Social Sciences:60694", author = "May A. Massoud", title = "Water, Sanitation and Health in Developing Countries: How Far from Sustainable Development?", abstract = "The availability of water in adequate quantity and
quality is imperative for sustainable development. Worldwide,
significant imbalance exists with regards to sustainable development
particularly from a water and sanitation perspective. Water is a
critical component of public health, and failure to supply safe water
will place a heavy burden on the entire population. Although the 21st
century has witnessed wealth and advanced development, it has not
been realized everywhere. Billions of people are still striving to
access the most basic human needs which are food, shelter, safe
drinking water and adequate sanitation. The global picture conceals
various inequalities particularly with regards to sanitation coverage in
rural and urban areas. Currently, water scarcity and in particular
water governance is the main challenge which will cause a threat to
sustainable development goals. Within the context of water,
sanitation and health, sustainable development is a confusing concept
primarily when examined from the viewpoint of policy options for
developing countries. This perspective paper aims to summarize and
critically evaluate evidence of published studies in relation to water,
sanitation and health and to identify relevant solutions to reduce
public health impacts. Evidently, improving water and sanitation
services will result in significant and lasting gains in health and
economic development.", keywords = "developing countries, health, sanitation,sustainability, water", volume = "5", number = "11", pages = "1632-4", }
