The global water and sanitation challenge: progress in meeting the Millennium Development

Goals

Keynote address at Focusing Arizona’s Water Research

(Arizona Water & Pollution Control Association, Arizona

Water Institute), Phoenix, Oct. 29, 2008.

THE GLOBAL WATER AND THE GLOBAL WATER AND SANITATION CHALLENGESANITATION CHALLENGE

Progress in Meeting the Progress in Meeting the Millennium Development GoalsMillennium Development Goals

Christopher ScottChristopher ScottUniversity of ArizonaUniversity of Arizona

cascott@email.arizona.edu

THE CRISISTHE CRISIS

Acknowledgment:Acknowledgment:

Anthony Rock, Arizona State University Anthony Rock, Arizona State University bud.rock@asu.edu

HEALTHHEALTH

- 50% of world’s hospital beds from water-related illness- 50% of world’s hospital beds from water-related illness

- diarrhea kills 1.8 million / year (17% under age 5 - diarrhea kills 1.8 million / year (17% under age 5 children’s deaths in developing world)children’s deaths in developing world)

ECONOMIC PRODUCTIVITYECONOMIC PRODUCTIVITY

-- diarrhea alone accounts for annual loss of 62 million diarrhea alone accounts for annual loss of 62 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs)Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs)

- meeting MDG’s can save $90 million annually- meeting MDG’s can save $90 million annually

- each dollar invested in supply and sanitation yields - each dollar invested in supply and sanitation yields $3-34 return$3-34 return

THE CHALLENGETHE CHALLENGE

Contribution of Water/SanitationContribution of Water/Sanitation to Millennium Development Goalsto Millennium Development Goals

(targets to achieve by 2015)(targets to achieve by 2015) • • MDG 1 Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger                       30% MDG 1 Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger                       30% • MDG 2 Achieve universal primary education                          30% • MDG 2 Achieve universal primary education                          30% • MDG 3 Promote gender equality and empower women         20% • MDG 3 Promote gender equality and empower women         20% • MDG 4 Reduce child mortality                                               30% • MDG 4 Reduce child mortality                                               30% • MDG 5 Improve maternal health                                            45% • MDG 5 Improve maternal health                                            45% • MDG 6 Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases         25% • MDG 6 Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases         25%

• MDG 7 Ensure environmental sustainability        >50%• MDG 7 Ensure environmental sustainability        >50%

• MDG7, Target 3: MDG7, Target 3: Reduce by half the proportion of people worldwide without safe drinking water and basic sanitation

Sobering DemographicsSobering Demographics

880 million additional 880 million additional population by 2015, population by 2015, virtually all in developing virtually all in developing countries.countries.

After 2015, all worldwide After 2015, all worldwide growth in population will growth in population will take place in developing take place in developing country cities.country cities.

Urban ExplosionUrban ExplosionIndia will soon cross the 50-50 urban-rural India will soon cross the 50-50 urban-rural population threshold… 750 million urban Indians population threshold… 750 million urban Indians by 2050.by 2050.China is actively planning for cities each with China is actively planning for cities each with more than 100 million population.more than 100 million population.Africa’s urban population growth rates among Africa’s urban population growth rates among the highest in the world.the highest in the world.Latin America has been predominantly urban for Latin America has been predominantly urban for generations.generations.

Urban Water Supply GrowthUrban Water Supply Growth

Millennium Development Goals face resource constraints (water, Millennium Development Goals face resource constraints (water, investment). Progress towards sanitation goals lagging behind water investment). Progress towards sanitation goals lagging behind water supply; therefore, supply; therefore, wastewater management is critical.wastewater management is critical.

In 1990In 1990 - 23% of the world’s population lacked safe - 23% of the world’s population lacked safe drinking water and 51% lacked adequate sanitation.drinking water and 51% lacked adequate sanitation.

TodayToday - roughly 1.1 billion people still live in - roughly 1.1 billion people still live in conditions of water stress or scarcity; 2.6 billion conditions of water stress or scarcity; 2.6 billion people lack any improved sanitation facilities.people lack any improved sanitation facilities.

MDG ChallengeMDG Challenge - Supply water to 1.2 billion - Supply water to 1.2 billion additional people (100 million / yr or 260,000 / day) additional people (100 million / yr or 260,000 / day) - Provide sanitation to 1.8 billion (180 million / yr or - Provide sanitation to 1.8 billion (180 million / yr or 400,000 / day)400,000 / day)

THE PROGRESSTHE PROGRESS

DRINKING WATER COVERAGEDRINKING WATER COVERAGE

Between 1990-2002, access rose from 77% to 83%Between 1990-2002, access rose from 77% to 83%

SANITATION COVERAGESANITATION COVERAGE

Between 1990-2002, coverage rose from 49% to 58%Between 1990-2002, coverage rose from 49% to 58%

MDG ProgressMDG Progress

INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTINTERNATIONAL COMMITMENT

FINANCING GLOBAL WATER GOALSFINANCING GLOBAL WATER GOALS

ESTIMATED COSTS TO MEET THE 2015 WATER AND SANITATION ESTIMATED COSTS TO MEET THE 2015 WATER AND SANITATION TARGETS (HIGHLY VARIABLE)TARGETS (HIGHLY VARIABLE)

-$10-12 BILLION (WHO-UNICEF) $10-12 BILLION (WHO-UNICEF) – – water access and basic sanitation water access and basic sanitation

-$49 BILLION (Camdessuss Report)$49 BILLION (Camdessuss Report) – – full water ($17bill), sewage connections and full water ($17bill), sewage connections and primary wastewater treatment ($32bill)primary wastewater treatment ($32bill)

-$180 BILLION (World Water Commission)$180 BILLION (World Water Commission) – – maintain full water supply (drinking, agriculture, energy, industry) maintain full water supply (drinking, agriculture, energy, industry) and sanitation needs by 2025and sanitation needs by 2025

SOURCES OF GLOBAL WATER FINANCINGSOURCES OF GLOBAL WATER FINANCING

• • 64 % - Domestic public sector financing at the 64 % - Domestic public sector financing at the national or local level (from taxes, user national or local level (from taxes, user fees, public debt, etc.)fees, public debt, etc.) • • 19% - Direct investments from domestic private19% - Direct investments from domestic private sources sources

• • 5% - Direct investments from international5% - Direct investments from international private sourcesprivate sources

• • 12% - International sources of support and 12% - International sources of support and cooperation (including multilateral and cooperation (including multilateral and bilateral Official Development Assistance)bilateral Official Development Assistance)

USG INVESTMENTUSG INVESTMENTFY 2003-2005FY 2003-2005

$1.7 BILLION IN OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE$1.7 BILLION IN OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

100 WATER AND RELATED PROJECTS100 WATER AND RELATED PROJECTS

24 MILLION PEOPLE RECEIVED IMPROVED WATER ACCESS24 MILLION PEOPLE RECEIVED IMPROVED WATER ACCESS

26 MILLION PEOPLE RECEIVED ACCESS TO IMPROVED SANITATION26 MILLION PEOPLE RECEIVED ACCESS TO IMPROVED SANITATION

15 USG AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS SUPPORTED INTERNATIONAL 15 USG AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS SUPPORTED INTERNATIONAL WORK (WITH VIRTUALLY NO DIRECT APPROPRIATIONS)WORK (WITH VIRTUALLY NO DIRECT APPROPRIATIONS)

KEY AREAS INCLUDED: AFGHANISTAN, BANGLADESH, COLOMBIA, KEY AREAS INCLUDED: AFGHANISTAN, BANGLADESH, COLOMBIA, EGYPT, ETHIOPIA, HAITI, INDIA, INDONESIA, KENYA, NEPAL, EGYPT, ETHIOPIA, HAITI, INDIA, INDONESIA, KENYA, NEPAL, PAKISTAN, PHILIPPINES, SOMALIA, SUDAN, UGANDA, NILE BASIN, PAKISTAN, PHILIPPINES, SOMALIA, SUDAN, UGANDA, NILE BASIN, OKAVANGO BASINOKAVANGO BASIN

ESTIMATED FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR GLOBAL WATER PROGRAMSESTIMATED FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR GLOBAL WATER PROGRAMS BY LEADING USG FUNDER, FY2005BY LEADING USG FUNDER, FY2005

USAID $397.7 millionUSAID $397.7 million

Millennium Challenge Corporation $89.9 millionMillennium Challenge Corporation $89.9 million

Environmental Protection Agency $79.3 millionEnvironmental Protection Agency $79.3 million

Department of State $36.0 millionDepartment of State $36.0 million

Department of Defense $3.4 millionDepartment of Defense $3.4 million total >$600 milliontotal >$600 million

(figure excludes Iraq and Afghanistan – additional $290 million)(figure excludes Iraq and Afghanistan – additional $290 million)

(loans, guarantees, and insurance can average an additional $200 million)(loans, guarantees, and insurance can average an additional $200 million)

Selected International OrganizationsSelected International Organizations Fiscal Year 2005Fiscal Year 2005

Organization U.S. Contribution % of Core BudgetOrganization U.S. Contribution % of Core Budget

to Core Budget Spent on Waterto Core Budget Spent on Water UNICEF $342.00M 10.4% UNICEF $342.00M 10.4% WHO $96.11M 1.9% WHO $96.11M 1.9% UNESCO $77.00M 8.1% UNESCO $77.00M 8.1% UNDP $108.00M 13.1% UNDP $108.00M 13.1% WMO $11.00M 4.6% WMO $11.00M 4.6% UNEP $6.00M 12.3% UNEP $6.00M 12.3% FAO $81.62M 0.8% FAO $81.62M 0.8% Total $721.73M Total $721.73M

(The U.S. does not earmark contributions to core budget, but (The U.S. does not earmark contributions to core budget, but by comparative percentage $36.6M was spent on water by comparative percentage $36.6M was spent on water programs.)programs.)

Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act (Public Law 109-121) (Public Law 109-121)

signed into law on November 30, 2005. signed into law on November 30, 2005.

Key Objectives:Key Objectives:

• increase the amount of funds available for water and sanitation, increase the amount of funds available for water and sanitation,

• support innovative funding mechanisms, greater international support innovative funding mechanisms, greater international coordination, and better integration of water and sanitation into coordination, and better integration of water and sanitation into other development efforts,other development efforts,

• require the development of a strategy to meet specific goals and require the development of a strategy to meet specific goals and benchmarks on the way to halving the percentage of people without benchmarks on the way to halving the percentage of people without access to safe water and sanitation.access to safe water and sanitation.

IMPLICATION: WASTEWATERIMPLICATION: WASTEWATER

• Treatment not part of MDGs• National finance woefully inadequate (e.g., India $7 billion investment is 10% of needed)

• Most existing plants not working (Ghana 7 plants working of 57 total)

+

=

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AGRICULTURAL REUSE INEVITABLEAGRICULTURAL REUSE INEVITABLE

Kumasi, Ghana

Hermosillo, Sonora

Hyderabad, India

Faisalabad, Pakistan

ACCRA CONSENSUS - OCT. 2008ACCRA CONSENSUS - OCT. 2008

•30 international, regional, national research institutes, multilateral and bilateral bodies, and universities based in 17 countries recommend:

• Integrate health and economic impact assessments

• Facilitate the adoption of the 2006 World Health Organization guidelines for the safe use of wastewater, excreta and greywater

• Increase human, institutional, and technical capacities in low-income countries

• Facilitate the exchange of information on best practices

Wastewater Use: ConclusionsWastewater Use: ConclusionsUrban growth + high treatment costs = Urban growth + high treatment costs = increasing agricultural reuseincreasing agricultural reuse

Promote beneficial agricultural reusePromote beneficial agricultural reuse

Mitigate health and environmental riskMitigate health and environmental risk

Risk MitigationRisk MitigationSecondary treatment (biosolids handling enforcement is Secondary treatment (biosolids handling enforcement is essential)essential)Application method to limit irrigators’ exposureApplication method to limit irrigators’ exposureMarket wash water and handlingMarket wash water and handlingCrop restrictions – non-edible and fodder. Limit fresh Crop restrictions – non-edible and fodder. Limit fresh produce irrigation, e.g.:produce irrigation, e.g.:

Treatment for ComplianceTreatment for Compliance

WHO - 10WHO - 1033 faecal coliforms/100 ml faecal coliforms/100 ml– Cost of treating raw sewage used for direct irrigation Cost of treating raw sewage used for direct irrigation

to meet WHO standard is approx US$125 per case of to meet WHO standard is approx US$125 per case of infection (of hepatitis, rotavirus, cholera, or typhoid) infection (of hepatitis, rotavirus, cholera, or typhoid) prevented (Fattal, Shuval, Laempert, 2004).prevented (Fattal, Shuval, Laempert, 2004).

USEPA – zero incremental riskUSEPA – zero incremental risk– Incremental cost of further treating wastewater from Incremental cost of further treating wastewater from

WHO to USEPA standard approx. US$450,000 per WHO to USEPA standard approx. US$450,000 per case of infection prevented (Fattal, Shuval, Laempert, case of infection prevented (Fattal, Shuval, Laempert, 2004).2004).

Policy ImplicationsPolicy ImplicationsPlanned reuse offers no easy solutionsPlanned reuse offers no easy solutionsKey to success are:Key to success are:– coherent legal and institutional frameworkcoherent legal and institutional framework– coordination of multiple government agenciescoordination of multiple government agencies– flexible application of the ‘polluter pays’ principleflexible application of the ‘polluter pays’ principle– extension to farmers of appropriate practices for extension to farmers of appropriate practices for

wastewater usewastewater use– public awareness campaigns to build social public awareness campaigns to build social

acceptability for reuseacceptability for reuse

cascott@email.arizona.educascott@email.arizona.edu