CANADIAN PERSPECTIVES ON WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Abstract

Almost all Canadians have safe drinking water and hygienic systems for waste disposal. The situation in less affluent countries is much less fortunate. In 1980, less than half the 3 200 million people in developing countries had access to the basic services.In a global effort aimed at improving this situation, the United Nations declared the period 1981–1990 as the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade. This paper reviews the experience of the recently ended Decade and outlines the challenges and opportunities of the 1990s.Quantitative results during the Decade were impressive. More than 1 300 million people gained access to safe drinking water, and about half as many to adequate sanitation. Qualitative results were even more impressive, with the evolution of improved approaches to providing affordable and sustainable services.The Canadian International Development Agency made substantial contributions to water supply and sanitation programs during the past Decade. Disbursements from the various branches of CIDA for programs in this sector totalled some $600 million over the period 1981–1990.Despite impressive past efforts, an estimated 1 200 million people were without safe drinking water in 1990 and some 1 700 million lacked access to adequate sanitation. Major efforts will continue to be made in the 1990s to remedy this situation.Approximately US $10 billion is being invested annually in this sector in developing countries. Some 65% of these funds come from the developing countries themselves. External support agencies, including CIDA, provide the rest. The agencies who provide the largest sums of external finance are the development banks, led by the World Bank.Canadians will continue to be active internationally in this sector: private sector consultants, suppliers and constructors; public sector agencies at various levels; non-government organizations; and educators and researchers. All should become aware of the guiding principles for the 1990s, as embodied in the statement emanating from the global consultation which took place in New Delhi in September 1990.

Cet article présente d’abord une rétrospective de la décennie internationale de l’eau potable et de l’assainissement (1981–1990). Après un bref rappel historique, il en dégage les grandes réalisations, les difficultés et les leçons apprises. Dans un deuxième temps, il situe l’aide canadienne dans le cadre de cette décennie et son importance relative par rapport à l’aide internationale. Finalement, il conclut en traitant des défis qu’il reste à surmonter, de la déclaration de New Delhi sur les grands principes devant guider les organismes d’aide dans le futur et enfin sur les opportunités, au cours de la prochaine décennie, pour le Canada et la communauté internationale dans le domaine de l’approvisionnement en eau potable et de l’assainissement.