ABSTRACT
Water is a basic requirement for human development. Water is a required input for a wide array of economic sectors including industry, agriculture and tourism. It is essential for human health and the survival of the ecosystems upon which people, especially the poor, depend. The prominence of water management in international discussions on poverty reduction and sustainable development has led to a high level of political support for water as an issue, but this is rarely translated into effective action or, in particular, increased investment. This is reflected, for instance, in the low priority water has in most national development strategies.
