Reaching the unreached : challenges for the 21st century : proceedings of the 22nd WEDC conference, New Delhi, India, 9-13 September 1996

This book comprises the edited Proceedings of the 22nd WEDC Conference held in New Delhi, India, in September 1996. Leading experts from the developing and developed countries as well as international agencies gathered to discuss the theme of "reaching the unreached - Challenges for the 21st century" which focused on how to take water and sanitation to communities and individuals who have not yet been reached by projects and programmes. Over one hundred papers were presented on such subjects as management, community management, health, water resources, water quality, wastewater treatment, solid waste and sanitation, as well as discussion group reports and keynote addresses. Particular attention was given to gender issues, achieving financial sustainability, reducing the cost of sanitation to achieve coverage for all sections of the population, reducing water wastage, and strengthening the capacity of organizations involved in water and sanitation. Training, community management - especially involving women in decision-making, private sector and NGO involvement, and an emphasis on health improvement through hygiene education, good water supplies and improved sanitation were seen as important issues. More technical research into low-cost treatment of both water and wastewater, a wider range of technology options for sanitation, as well as effective coordination and stakeholder networking were advocated.