Abstract

The United Nations (UN) declared 1981–1990 as the International Water Supply and Sanitation Decade, with the professed goal of supplying potable water and providing the means to safe disposal of human excreta for all the people of the world by 1990. In this entry, many factors that contribute to successes and failures of the Water Decade goals are reviewed. The discussion includes understanding of the needs, appropriate technology, commitment, financial resources, training, and the role of developed nations.