The US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Water (OW) is helping the US government prepare for the Aug 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). In cooperation with the Department of State, US Agency for International Development (USAID) and other federal agencies, OW is examining options on water and sanitation ranging from critical infrastructure investments in drinking water disinfection, to longer-term capacity-building and training for professionals and community-based organizations. High priority regions include Africa and South/Southeast Asia. OW also supports a "White Water to Blue Water" effort on integrated management of watersheds and marine ecosystems, focussing on the Caribbean Basin. Besides presenting a new exhibit on Clean Water/Safe Water, OW will conduct an international training course on "Fundamentals of Safe Drinking Water Programs" as part of the WSSD. Past international water projects supported by EPA/OW include the Safe Drinki! ng Water Initiative for Africa and the Microbiologically Safe Drinking Water for Children's Health Initiative in Central America.

Contact: USEPA, Office of International Affairs (2670R), Martin Dieu, dieu.martin@epa.gov or Stephanie Adrian, adrian.stephanie@epa.gov

Source: WaterNews / EPA, 23 Jul 2002

US EPA - International Affairs, http://www.epa.gov/international/ ; "White Water to Blue Water" presentation, http://www.iisd.ca/linkages/2002/pc3/enbots/marc...