NRDC – U.S. Implementation of the Water for the Poor Act

U.S. Implementation of the Water for the Poor Act: Small Steps for a Crisis that Calls for Great Strides, November 2010.

Full-text:  http://docs.nrdc.org/water/files/wat_10111801a.pdf

Natural Resources Defense Council

illions of people lack access to clean water and safe sanitation which has catastrophic consequences for human health and well-being. Diarrhea caused by unsafe water and sanitation kills more children under 5 per year than HIV/AIDS, malaria, and measles combined. The good news is that we have the tools to solve this global crisis.

In 2005 the Water for the Poor Act took a historic step calling for bold U.S. action to bring clean water and sanitation to the world. This November 2010 report provides a comprehensive assessment of the steps the U.S. government still needs to take to protect human health and the environment.

Social, Cultural and Behavioral Correlates of Household Water Treatment and Storage

In the Center for Communication Programs publication, Social, Cultural and Behavioral Correlates of Household Water Treatment and Storage, Drs. Figueroa and Kincaid discuss the many individual, household and community level factors that play a role in water treatment behavior and offer a model that can be used to improve the design and effectiveness of water treatment programs.

The Model of Communication for Water Treatment and Safe Storage Behavior is based on behavior change and communication theories that have been applied and tested worldwide by CCP across several health areas, including water treatment.

Link – http://www.jhuccp.org/node/1558

Hesperian announces new publication: A Community Guide to Environmental Health

From water quality to social inequality, from toilets to toxics, from raising crops to rising temperatures, how we use natural resources affects our health and well-being. This highly illustrated guide will help health promoters, development workers, educators, activists, and community leaders take charge of their communities’ environmental health.

 The book is available for free download on Hesperian website: www.hesperian.org

WHO – 10 facts on sanitation

Lack of sanitation facilities forces people to defecate in the open, in rivers or near areas where children play or food is prepared. This increases the risk of transmitting disease. The Ganges river in India has 1.1 million litres of raw sewage dumped into it every minute, a startling figure considering that one gram of faeces in untreated water may contain 10 million viruses, one million bacteria, 1000 parasite cysts and 100 worm eggs.

Read More – WHO