WORLD WATER DAY POURS COLD WATER ON UK EFFORTS

12.43.31pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 21st Mar 2006

On the eve of World Water Day, West Sussex MEP Sharon Bowles is highlighting how local people can press for improvements in access to clean, safe water all around the world.

According to the discussion paper 'An empty glass' published in December 2005 by WaterAid and Tearfund, the European Union Water Initiative has not helped a single extra person receive safe water or sanitation.

The European Union Water Initiative was launched by the European Commission at the 2002 World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg. It was intended to halve by 2015 the proportion of people who are unable to reach or afford safe drinking water and the proportion of people who do not have access to adequate sanitation. It also aims to establish national water resource management plans by 2005.

Local MEP Sharon Bowles said "Drought is a hot topic in the South East at the moment, but we are still incredibly lucky compared to some. Our water is of generally good quality, and the most severe rationing we have experienced so far is in terms of hosepipe bans rather than having restricted access to any kind of water supply."

"The report from WaterAid and Tearfund makes difficult reading for UK politicians. The UK scores just 3 points out of 10 for our contribution towards aid for water and sanitation."

"I hope that on World Water Day all UK politicians wake up to the importance of our aid contributions for water and sanitation and take the opportunity to press for change. Local people can help by raising their concerns with their local MP asking them to take action now, before it is too late."

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Notes:

World Water Day is 22nd March 2006 and marks the 14th United Nations Water Day. http://www.wateraid.org/international/about_us/newsroom/3600.asp

The WaterAid and Tearfund report "An empty glass" can be found at 'http://www.wateraid.org/documents/euwi.pdf'