Many Asians tend to take water for granted, not realizing that clean water is increasingly becoming scarce and more costly. Sahana Singh, editor of Asian Water, Asia’s leading monthly magazine on water and wastewater who is campaigning for governments to prioritize water and sanitation, explains why to AsiaViews. The following quotes illustrate her key messages:

"It cannot be forgotten that about half the South east Asian cities and most South Asian cities still get intermittent water supply."

"I think people in South east Asia are aware about reduced supplies of clean water but they are not thinking so far into the future; the focus in on the present. Where people depend on wells, they know they are digging deeper for water with every passing year. Where there are vendors selling water, the poor know they are parting with more of their earnings."

"The mainstream media tend to focus more on the politics of water rather than the economic and operational aspects. Also, the linkages between water and other sectors such as economy, energy, health and gender are often completely ignored. Being aware is the first step towards applying pressure on governments to improve their management of such a vital resource."

Source: Asia Views, February 2010

Tags: east asia & pacific, financing, information and communication, south asia, urban wash, water resources management, water supply