Central aims are to assist water authorities in using isotope techniques to improve the efficiency of water use, identify and prevent sources of pollution, and map the birth and life expectancy of groundwater resources already being tapped. Some 150 technical cooperation projects were put into action over the past decade to assist more than 60 countries in water-related areas. In the process, hundreds of young scientists have been trained to apply isotopes in investigations to improve the management of water and other natural resources in these countries. Today, the IAEA is emphasizing the formation of national and regional Model Projects that are closely tied to national development goals, forge working partnerships to address specific needs, and build upon the expertise and technology already developed in the field. Through these and other efforts, nuclear technologies have helped the world make strides to bring water to more people.
Every step counts.
Taken together, the world's collective efforts in the 1990s saw nearly 800 million more people gain access to safe drinking water.