ToolBox

WHO works on aspects of water, sanitation and hygiene where the health burden is high, where interventions could make a major difference and where the present state of knowledge is poor. Its objectives are

• To support the health sector in effectively addressing water- and waste-related disease burden and in engaging others in its reduction.
• To assist non-health sectors in understanding and acting on the health impacts of their actions.

WHO's program on Water, Health and Sanitation  focuses on the critical interconnections between health and water. Four of its subprogramsof are especially relevant to IWRM:

Water supply, sanitation and hygiene development

Sanitation and hygiene in water storage and use are important areas of intervention for sustainable water management. In this section you will find guidelines, best practice documents and promotion materials to design and/or conduct sanitation and hygiene interventions.

 Water resources subprogram

This section explores the mutually reinforcing relationships between health and water management decisions. It referes to the impacts of dams, irrigation, and nature conservation in health. Of particular interest for IWRM are the sections on water resource quality, intersectoral collaboration and environmental management.

Also, you can access a list of the publications, presentations and guidelines about water resource development and health here.

Wastewater use

Because of the increasing pressure on water resources, waste water usage is becoming not only an option but a necessity in many contexts. This section refers to the health related impacts of waste water use and provides guidelines for the use of waste water, grey water and excreta for agriculture and aquaculture.

Economic Aspects

This section connects economic concerns with water, sanitation and health. In it you will find documents that deal with issues such as: economic analysis of the costs of providing water and sanitation for the poor, the economic impact of lack of sanitation and water services, and the cost-effectiveness of environmental health interventions, amongst other.