ABSTRACT
Much has been written about the plight of the urban poor and the huge health burden that they bear. The World Health Organisation estimates that 12 000 000 men, women and, in particular, children die each year from water-and excreta-related diseases. A large proportion of those falling victim to these diseases live in urban areas (Mara, 1996b). The irony is that, although these diseases account for such a high proportion of illness, debility and death among the poor, and are a substantial cause of high infant mortality rates, they are preventable. As discussed in Chapter 1, urban health in all countries depends on the provision of basic water infrastructure.
