4 February 2015
UN-Water Report Calls to Prioritize Wastewater in Post-2015 Agenda
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A UN-Water report calls for prioritizing wastewater treatment under a dedicated Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on water, highlighting that only 20% of the world's wastewater is currently being treated.

'Wastewater Management: A UN-Water Analytical Brief' was produced by the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat on behalf of UN-Water.

UN Water Logo2 February 2015: A UN-Water report calls for prioritizing wastewater treatment under a dedicated Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on water, highlighting that only 20% of the world’s wastewater is currently being treated. ‘Wastewater Management: A UN-Water Analytical Brief’ was produced by the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat on behalf of UN-Water.

The report analyzes water quality issues in relation to agricultural, industrial and domestic wastewater, including stormwater and urban runoff. It discusses the merits of centralized versus decentralized management regimes, and locally appropriate treatment options. Among many recommendations, the report emphasizes the need for strong governance and data gathering.

Upon the release of the report, UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said wastewater management has been neglected in the rush to commercialize drinking water production. He called attention to the lack of treatment of industrial discharge in developing countries, and to the impacts of biodiversity loss in rivers, lakes and wetlands. He highlighted the potential to use reclaimed wastewater in agricultural irrigation, thus reducing global water withdrawals.

Joan Clos, UN-Habitat Executive Director, called for integrating wastewater management in urban planning and legislation, noting the opportunity to promote this aim at the forthcoming UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III).

Maria Neira, WHO Director of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health, stressed the health risks of untreated wastewater. [Publication: Wastewater Management: A UN-Water Analytical Brief] [UNEP Press Release]

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