Key Issues and Information Resources - Water Use and Water Pollution

Sustainable
Agri-Food Production
and Consumption
Forum

	Introduction
	Agri-food Production and Bio-diversity
	Water Use and Water Pollution
	Energy
	Climate Change
	Food Safety and Biotechnology
	Use of Chemicals
	Desertification
	Trade and Environment
	Consumption
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KEY ISSUES AND INFORMATION SOURCES -
Water Use and Water Pollution

Agriculture accounts for 70% of all water use. Both primary food production and food processing are critically dependent upon reliable water supply and adequate water quality. Both types of activities can also have serious effects on water resources - a critical factor in sustainable agri-food production.

Water resources are being depleted at a rapid rate, with water tables falling world-wide. Shortage of potable water and agriculture water supplies now affect more than one-quarter of the world's population, resulting in poor child and adult health and long-term damage to local economic viability.

Improper use of pesticides and fertilizers, poor management of animal manure, as well as inefficient practices in the food processing industry can all contribute to serious pollution of ground and surface waters.

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Information resources provided by various stakeholders:

THE GLOBAL PROGRAMME OF ACTION

for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities and the Washington Declaration were adopted in 1995. UNEP was tasked with leading the co-ordination effort and establishing a GPA Co-ordination Office. The GPA clearing house mechanism provides access to information, data and practical experiences to address problems related to marine pollution and degradation.

Organisation web site: http://www.gpa.unep.org/.

UNITED NATIONS FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION

provides an information system, AQUASTAT. This is an information system on water in agriculture and rural development.

Organisation web site: http://www.fao.org.

Specific pages of interest:

http://www.fao.org/ag/AGL/AGLW/aquastat/aquastat.htm - This system produces regional analyses and country profiles on water resources development, with emphasis on irrigation and drainage.

THE WORLD BANK

is carrying out numerous activities related to environmental protection and natural resource protection. You can find a list of issues, activities, and publications on the World Bank website.

Organisation web site: http://www.worldbank.org/.

Specific pages of interest:

http://lnweb18.worldbank.org/ESSD/essdext.nsf/18ByDocName/WaterResourcesManagement - The World Bank has a water resource management programme which looks at water resources management in rural development (including agricultural irrigation and drainage). You can also find more information about projects, documents and publications in this address.

UNESCO

the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, currently composed of 188 member states, aims to contribute to peace and security in the world by promoting collaboration among nations through education, science, culture and communication.

Organisation web site: http://www.unesco.org/general/eng/index.html.

Specific pages of interest:

http://www.unesco.org/water/ihp/ - UNESCO manages the International Hydrological Program to help Member States upgrade their knowledge of the water cycle and thereby increasing their capacity to better manage and develop their water resources.

THE USA ENVIRONMNETAL PROTECTION AGENCY

aims to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment (air, water, and land) through the development of different projects and research programs.

Organisation web site: http://www.epa.gov/.

Specific pages of interest:

http://www.epa.gov/ow/ - is the USA EPA Office Of Water web site which describes the different national water programs and the Clean Water Action Plan. In this address you can find out more information about the projects.

WORLD RESOURCE INSTITUTE

provides information, ideas, and solutions to global environmental problems, including natural resources management.

Organisation web site: http://www.wri.org/wri.html.

Specific pages of interest:

http://earthtrends.wri.org - Earthtrends: The Environmental Information Portal is the World Resources Institute's new interactive website. EarthTrends is intended to be the first place to go for timely and accurate global environmental and sustainable development information.

INTERNATIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

has a mission to contribute to food security and poverty eradication by fostering sustainable increases in the productivity of water through better management of irrigation and other water uses in river basins.

Organisation web site: http://www.cgiar.org/iwmi/.

Specific pages of interest:

http://www.cgiar.org/iwmi/software/podium.htm - IWMI developed a Policy Dialogue Model – PODIUM – which gives policy makers and government planners a rapid and realistic look at the increasing water and food demands for the year 2025. The IWMI web site provides Internet consultation on the World Bank’s Water Resource Management Policy.

THE AFRICAN WATER PAGE

This page is dedicated to the water sector in Africa. Issues addressed include water policy, water resource management, water supply and environmental sanitation, water conservation and demand management, and a variety of other issues.

Organisation web site: http://www.sn.apc.org/afwater/index.htm.

THE WORLD WATER COUNCIL

is carrying out many activities on sound water management including the Water Vision Project. These Council's activities explore the actions needed to sustain water resources. On its web site you can find information on news and events, and information about the recently held World Water Forum.

Organisation web site: http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/.

THE WORLD BANK

As the European Union's member countries make progress on controlling water pollution from homes and industry, their attention is turning to reducing water pollution from agriculture. There are many projects on water use and water pollution: Drainage, Irrigation and Wetlands Improvement Project, Irrigation Distribution Systems and Management Improvement Project, Dar es Salaam Water Supply and Sanitation Project.

Organisation web site: http://www.worldbank.org/fandd/english/0996/articles/0100996.htm.

THE WATER PAGE

The Water Page is an independent initiative dedicated to the promotion of sustainable water resources management and use. A particular emphasis is placed on the development, utilization and protection of water in Africa and other developing regions. You can have a lot of information on water around the world but it is interesting to know laws and policies because water plays a central role in all aspects of life. Public and private at all levels from international waters to the household level; it plays a critical role in the natural environment, in our economies, in food security, in production and in politics. The governing of how water is used, who uses it and how much is used is consequently very complex and is the substance of a substantial body of law at local, national and international levels

Organisation web site: http://www.thewaterpage.com/.