"Water and Health" is a subject of special importance, however, despite advances made in drinking water and sanitation coverage in the Region of the Americas, 77 million people still lack easy access to adequate water supply options; 103 million lack adequate sanitation options. Furthermore, 50% of the countries that have information on continuity in the urban water supply systems, report problems of intermittence.
The percentage of the rural population in the Region without access adequate to water and sanitation is five times higher than that of the urban population. Furthermore, poor families spend proportionately more on this service than families with higher incomes.
Unfortunately, in the "Region of the Americas" there is no equity in the access to and use of these services. Besides, in Latin America and the Caribbean, 48.6% of the population (241 million) has access to household sewerage connection and only 13.7% of the sewerage systems discharges receive some form of treatment. This is a serious threat to health and environment.
Without a doubt, the goal of universalization of water and sanitation services must be achieved early in the 21st Century. Within this panorama, the role of the State as the provider of water and sanitation services has to change and the participation of private and local level initiatives, have to be greater.
However, in order to guarantee equity and well being of all, the State can never completely give up the responsibility of delivery of these services.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to identify the magnitude of the inequalities in access and expenditure with drinking water in Latin America and the Caribbean
Keywords: Water,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.