Economic development remains the favoured option for poverty reduction. While the health sector is expected to deliver good care and provide an acceptable level of community health, resources to effectively fulfil these two essential tasks are often lacking. Water may provide an entry point to support health and development. Local Communities And Civil Society Communities can manage water supply for households or irrigation effectively if backed-up by government and private aid agencies. International NGOs are well-positioned to support their local counterparts and to engage in international advocacy.
Epidemiological networks can bring water-health problems to the attention of other professionals.
The Research Community Priority research areas depend greatly on specific circumstances. The Private Sector Deregulation of the water sector offers opportunity for improved delivery of safe water to needy customers. Private-sector initiatives of smallholder farmers can potentially decrease water use for crop production and improve irrigation techniques for better health and economy. Goods and services supportive of health targeted at poor households can boost private-sector enterprise in areas such as soap manufacture, emptying of latrines, septic tanks and water vending. National Water development policy-makers should be responsible for the health impact of their actions.