85 million (10%) people living in the World Health Organisation (WHO) European Region do not have access to improved sanitation and over 41 million (5%) still lack access to a safe drinking-water supply. Access to safe water has been recognised as a basic human right and yet, the WHO estimates that 13 500 children under 14 years of age die every year due to poor water conditions.
The entry into force of the first legally binding international agreement in the fight against water-related disease can therefore be considered as of importance to protect millions of people from water ill health, in line with the achievement of the Millenium Goals.
In August 2005, the Protocol on water and health to the 1992 Convention on protection and use of transboundary watercourses and international lakes has eventually been ratified by the minimum 16 countries [1]
Adopted in June 1999, it provides a basis for the provision of a holistic approach to preventing, controlling and reducing water-related diseases, including both the supply of safe drinking-water, adequate sanitation and the basin-wide protection of water resources.
The WHO and the UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) will support a wide range of actions including legislative reforms, laboratory training, harmonisation of data collection and promotion of plans to ensure water safety, in cooperation with the civil society. Moreover, ratifying countries commit to set specific targets and establish effective monitoring programmes.
As such, water-related diseases of microbiological origin have been identified for priority action (such as cholera, bacillary dysentery, enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli, typhoid (and paratyphoid) and viral hepatitis). The countries will have to review their systems for disease surveillance and outbreak detection, and implement the most appropriate measures to reduce disease, including vaccination or water treatment and distribution measures.
Chemical contaminants of drinking-water and related diseases are also under review.
WHO Euro Water and Sanitation Programme
Brochure: "The Protocal on Water and Health: Making a difference"
