Water and Health |
8–9 Dec 2009, Koblenz • Workshop organized by the German and Netherlands National Committees IHP-HWRP. The workshop focuses on key topics of the current phase (VII) of UNESCO’s International Hydrological Programme (IHP), Water and Life Support Systems, and the work under the UNECE/WHO–Europe Protocol on Water and Health. Water quality issues in Europe are not as eye-catching as in many other parts of the world, yet there is a lot of concern about emergingpollutants, water and health in the context of societal and environment change. Deterioration of water quality, overexploitation of freshwater resources, hydrological hazards, climate change and adverse effects of landscape degradation and sectoral management all pose risks to human health, and potentially impact ecosystem values and services. Human health and well-being are strongly dependent on safe and readily available water. Their promotion at national, transboundary and international levels is the objective of the UNECE/WHO-Europe Protocol on Water and Health. The EU Water Framework Directive states in its preamble that “Water is not a commercial product like any other but, rather, a heritage which must be protected, defended and treated as such”. The implementation of the Directive will help to prevent further pollution of waters. The Workshop presented current water and health issues in Europe, and identified policy needs based on scientific analysis of the status quo.
Presentations: Protocol on Water and Health and IWRM The importance of water and health in the VIIth phase of IHP of UNESCO Water and infectious diseases in Europe: what do we know? The multi-barrier principle: basis for a safe and sustainable drinking water supply Implementation of water security programmes in rural settlements in the Republic of Moldova Water borne diseases, risks and adaption needs in Sweden Trace metals and pharmaceuticals in transboundary waters, and its monitoring, toxicity and regulation in Ukraine Model tools for prediction of probability of infections: scenarios for European water works Meeting the MDGs and acess to safe water: the case of Tajikistan Experience with water safety plans: a benefit for German suppliers? The presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment due to human use: present knowledge and future challenges Water borne infections in Estonia The role of European water legislation: current situation and future challenges |