The Ingenieur Vol 57 January-March 2014 The Ingenieur Vol 57 January-March 2014 | Page 33

WORLD REPORT

WHO - Water Quality and
Health Strategy 2013-2020
By Pang Soo Moi

T

he quality of water, whether
used for drinking, domestic
purposes, food production
or recreational purposes has
an important impact on health.
Water of poor quality can
cause disease outbreaks and
can contribute to background
rates of disease manifesting
themselves on different time
scales. Initiatives to manage
the safety of water do not only
support public health, but
often promote socio-economic
development and well-being as well. This article
sets out the strategy adopted by the World Health
Organisation (WHO) to manage water quality with
a view to protecting and promoting human health.
Water quality and health strategy is a
framework for action by the WHO Secretariat. It was
prepared through a consultative process, building
on past World Health Assembly resolutions, in
particular WHA64/24, expert consultations, and
feedback from a wide range of stakeholders on
WHO water quality guidelines and associated
activities. It also builds upon the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs), the human rights
to water and sanitation and the post 2015 MDG
process, which give increased attention to water
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