Water is uniquely and fundamentally essential for all aspects of life, wellbeing and productivity. It is also the lifeblood of ecosystems, essential for many eco-hydrological functions. For poor people, access to clean and affordable water is a prerequisite for achieving a minimum standard of health and undertaking productive activities. However, it is estimated that 1.1 billion people lack access to safe water, and almost 2.5 billion people – 40 per cent of the world’s population – lack access to adequate sanitation (Neto and Tropp 2000, p. 227).
Editors
