Consider the following statistics: A little over 2% of the earth's water supply is fresh water. More than 200 million pounds (90 kgs) of contaminants are dumped into our water resources every year. 500 million people live in water scarce countries and by 2025 this number could hit 3 billion. These are just a few of the numbers that point to the current and increasingly pressing issues of water supply and resource management. This Drum Beat examines the context of this situation, some communication responses from grassroots communities and regional organisations, and selective resources for further analysis and information.

CONTEXT

1. Water & Population

Today 31 countries, accounting for under 8% of the world population, face chronic freshwater shortages. By the year 2025, 48 countries, accounting for 35% of the world's projected population are expected to face shortages. Among countries likely to run short of water in the next 25 years are Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Nigeria & Peru. In this century world population has tripled and water withdrawal has increased 6 times.

2. Mountain Water

More than half of humanity depends on mountain water for transportation, drinking, growing food, and producing electricity. In humid parts of the world, mountains provide 30 to 60% of the freshwater downstream. In semi-arid and arid environments, they provide 70 to 95%. In 1985, water from the Tien Shan and the Pamir mountains that flowed into the Aral Sea was rerouted to fields in a failed irrigation experiment. As a result, the Aral Sea shrunk to half its size, leaving 266 invertebrates, 24 fish species & 94 plant species extinct.

3. Sanitation [PDF]

In Asia 50% of the population lives without adequate sanitation. In China, India & Indonesia twice as many people die from diarrhoeal diseases as from HIV/AIDS. In the developing world 80% of disease is due to poor sanitation. The WHO says the lives of the 1.8 million children who die annually from water-related diseases could be saved by prevention or better treatment. For £11 billion (about US$15.7 billion) the number of people with no sanitation could be halved.

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES

4. Ghana National Coalition Against the Privatisation (CAP) of Water - Ghana - a broad-based coalition of individuals and civil society organisations united around the goal of ensuring access to water for all Ghanaians by 2008. A mass civil society campaign works to facilitate public debate; educate citizens through community, school, and work-place teach-ins; and mobilise local coalition communities, promote petitions, and pass resolutions to stop the transfer of water supply to foreign multinational monopoly control. The CAP of Water is in the process of publishing information sheets and a newsletter. Contact capofwater@netscape.net

5. Latrine Revolution in Rural Henan - China - included promotion of and education on the construction, use, and health benefits of the double urn latrine. Radio and television programmes were designed to both explain and promote the use of the double urn latrine and to encourage other health promoting habits such as hand washing. Town meetings were held to discuss communicable and non-communicable disease prevention techniques. Contact Wang Shugeng - fax: 863715957134

6. Prevention of Diarrhea - Zambia - a study focused on the use of motivational interviewing techniques to achieve long-term behaviour change and the adoption of healthier lifestyles. Training sessions were used to inform nurses and health care workers. Educational materials were used in homes to demonstrate the use of treated stored water, and proper washing of hands and utensils. Nurses visited individual homes once a week to monitor progress and attitudes of the people. Contact Angelica K. Thevos thevosak@musc.edu

7. Environmental Health Promotion & Waste Management - Gaza City - included training courses in environmental management, health promotion, and composting for municipal staff and training courses for residents to learn to engage in dialogue with municipal staff. Discussion groups were held in open public spaces on health promotion techniques. The project initiated programmes to improve the city’s environmental services and promoted a grassroots approach to garbage control. Contact Liesbeth Zonneveld zodiac@pis.com or mogaza@mogaza.com

8. WASH Campaign - South Africa - is a health and hygiene education programme for adults and children. Strategies include a locally manufactured water pump that operates while children are at play, a "Working for Water" booklet, a WASH T-shirt, and other campaign materials. A "cholera roadshow" is aimed at educating children and adults about safe water, sanitation, and hygiene practices. Contact Babs Naidoo NaidooB@dwaf.gov.za

9. Vision 21 - Global - began with meetings in towns and villages in 21 countries. Local people joined local NGOs, citizens' groups, and others to explore what kind of water, sanitation, and hygiene environment they would like to see in their communities. They then assessed what had to change and took stock of ways to use their skills, experiences, and local resources to make progress. National Vision 21 Coordinators and appropriate government departments reviewed the ideas generated at these local meetings. Contact wsscc@who.ch

SUPPORT

10. Asia Water Management Excellence Awards - to recognise outstanding contributions made by individuals, government and private organisations toward: the improvement of the efficiency and effectiveness of a water-related service; the optimisation of public, private, commercial or industrial water use; and, the saving and conservation of water resources in the Asian region.

11. Stockholm Industry Water Award - an honorary award that focuses on industry or other business companies and will recognise innovative corporate development of water and wastewater process technologies and contributions to helping improve the world water situation.

ANALYSIS & RESOURCES

12. Water Privatisation in Ghana?: An Analysis of Government & World Bank Policies - "...the Government of Ghana, with the backing of the World Bank, has concluded that privatisation of the urban water system is the appropriate policy option for the country. Unfortunately, there has not been broad-based, open public discussion among the government, citizens and donors about the full range of alternative water management options...."

13. Water Resources Management Materials from Sustainable Development Online - dowloadable articles on water resource management in Russia, the Middle East, Indonesia, the US, and globally.

14. Bypassing Community Rights: The National Water Policy - "India's new National Water Policy emphasises continued government control over water resources, ignoring pleas by environmental groups to involve local communities in order to overcome looming shortages...."

15. Keep It Working: a Field Manual to Support Community Management of Rural Water Supply - provides insights on key issues related to community management of water supply.

16. SEED Sustainable Water Management website - from UNDP focuses on global and regional strategies.

17. WaterBuyDirect's e-newsletter "Go With the Flow" - includes water facts and figures, as well as information on bottled water products worldwide.

EVENTS

18. 2002 Stockholm Water Symposium - Aug 12-15 2002

19. World Water Day - Mar 22 - annually

The Drum Beat seeks to cover the full range of communication for development activities. Inclusion of an item does not imply endorsement or support by The Partners.


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