Addressing the Water Crisis - Healthier and more Productive Lives for Poor People (DFID, 2001, 58 p.): 1. The challenges: 1.1 Introduction

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Addressing the Water Crisis - Healthier and more Productive Lives for Poor People (DFID, 2001, 58 p.)

1. The challenges

		1.1 Introduction
		1.2 The current situation in water resources
		1.3 The current situation in water supply and sanitation2
		1.4 Improving the management of water resources
		1.5 Avoiding conflicts over water resources
		1.6 Allocating water between different users
		1.7 Delivering water services sustainably
		1.8 Improving coordination among the international players

1.1 Introduction

This section of the strategy paper begins by setting out the current situation in the water and sanitation sector. The analysis indicates the nature of the potential crisis facing us arising from an increasing imbalance between the availability and demand for fresh water, a situation that is already affecting poor people most heavily. We then examine the key challenges that we all need to address if we are to be able to meet the growing demands within the limits of available resources. We must improve the management of the water resources and the environment, take urgent action to avoid conflicts over water resources, improve the allocation of water between different uses, deliver sustainable water and sanitation services to meet needs, and improve coordination among the international players.