ABSTRACT
Effective environmental health services can reduce many of the ecological problems that threaten health in urban areas. There are several steps that may be taken to minimize the environmental health burdens in urban areas, especially in Addis Ababa. The urban land lease system has exacerbated the housing problem. Taxes collected from all the multiplying economic activities will help urban municipalities to generate additional revenues and maintain infrastructure and upgrade and provide social services. Most of the revenue from government-owned housing rental is used up by administrative or bureaucratic outlays and little is left for improving urban infrastructure and services. Urban areas produce increasing amounts of solid and liquid wastes. Only less than one-half of the urban population is served with sanitation services and, as a consequence, defecation in open spaces, drainage channels, and river ravines is the most common practice. Urban municipalities alone are now responsible for providing all urban services.
