Making water a part of economic development
The economic benefits of improved water management and services
Better access to clean water, sanitation services and water management creates tremendous opportunity for the poor and is a progressive strategy for economic growth. This report articulates the close link between water and the economy and makes the case that investing in water management and services is absolutely essential for the eradication of poverty and is a necessary condition for enabling sustained economic growth.
The poor gain directly from improved access to basic water and sanitation services through improved health, averted health care costs and time saved. Good management of water resources brings more certainty and efficiency in productivity across economic sectors and contributes to the health of the ecosystem. Taken together, these interventions lead to immediate and long-term economic, social and environmental benefi ts that make a difference to lives of billions of people.
This report was commissioned by the Governments of Norway and Sweden and prepared by the Stockholm International Water Institute in collaboration with the World Health Organization and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation.
Download individual chapters
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Cover, table of contents, note to the reader, five important messages
pdf, 483kb -
1. Introduction
pdf, 357kb -
2. Generating economic benefits with improved water resources management and services
pdf, 848kb -
3. How much would it cost to act?
pdf, 450kb -
4. Economic cost-benefit analysis
pdf, 734kb -
5. Conclusions: Investing in water is good business
pdf, 443kb -
Notes and bibliography
pdf, 294kb