1. World Health Organization
9 April, 2019
9 April, 2019
The Protocol on Water and Health
where health, environment and development policies meet 1

2. World Health Organization
Why a treaty to manage water resources and prevent water-related diseases ?
9 April, 2019
In the European Region, poor-quality drinking-water causes over 13 000 deaths from diarrhoea among children aged 0–14 years (5.3% of all deaths in this age group) each year
140 million (16%) do not have a household connection to a drinking-water supply
In central and eastern Europe water is safe only in 30—40% of households.
85 million (10%) do not have improved sanitation
Emerging threats: protozoan infestations of drinking-water supply systems, proliferation of Legionella, and potential health problems related to the increasingly complex chemical environment.

3. The Protocol on water and health:
World Health Organization
The Protocol on water and health:
9 April, 2019
It is the world’s first legal treaty designed to reduce water-related deaths and diseases through improved water management.
Bibliography
The legal text of the Protocol is available from URL:
It is up to the countries to translate its code into the reality of greater access to safe water and improved sanitation.

4. Status of ratification
World Health Organization
9 April, 2019
Status of ratification .
Adopted in 1999 by 36 countries
Entered into force in 2005
Ratified by 21 countries
Signatories
Parties

5. World Health Organization
Goal: Protect human health and well being by better management of water resources
World Health Organization
9 April, 2019
Effective protection of water related ecosystems and sustainable use of water resources
Provision of adequate supplies of wholesome drinking water
Health outcome
Environmental Management
Drinking water quality
Prevention, control and reduction of water-related diseases
Detection, contingency planning and response to outbreaks
Legal framework
Health Outcomes
Environmental quality

6. World Health Organization
Goal: Protect human health and well being by providing institutional framework for:
9 April, 2019
Sustainable development and MDGs
Poverty reduction
Policies integration
Cooperation between sectors and countries
@ R. Aertgeerts

7. World Health Organization
Scope
World Health Organization
9 April, 2019
@ MED action plan
@ WHO central photo library
Costal and estuarine waters
Surface waters
Water during abstraction, transport, treatment and supply
@ UNEP photo collection
Wastewater collection, transport, treatment, discharge, reuse
@ WHO EURO photo collection

8. World Health Organization
Parties shall:
9 April, 2019
ESTABLISH
TARGETS
SET DATES
REVIEW
PROGRESS
Within 2 years
of becoming
a Party,
each country
sets and
publishes targets,
and dates for
achieving them
collect and evaluate data
publish results
review progress
provide summary reports
Water supply and sanitation
Water management
Health protection
Declare targets tailored to country needs and capacity: Water supply and sanitation (quality, Improved access, system performance, discharge of Wastewater and sludge); Water management (resource quality, recreational water, aquaculture); Health protection (Outbreaks, level of disease)
Set dates: Parties also 1) establish national coordination mechanisms, 2) develop water management plans, 3) establish framework for enforcing drinking water quality standards
Review progress: 1) Parties collect and evaluate data on progress towards target; 2) Parties publish results of data collection and evaluation; 3) Parties review progress; 4) Parties provide summary report through Secretariat to MOP

9. World Health Organization
Within 3 years each country shall establish systems for surveillance and control of water-related diseases
World Health Organization
9 April, 2019
Public information of threat
Preventive and remedial actions
Public authorities notified
Responsive Health Systems
Contingency plans timely prepared
Within three years, each Party shall have established systems for surveillance and early warning of water related disease, contingency plans and response capacities. Implementing these provisions requires action in a number of areas.
Water-related outbreaks or threats identified
Capacity strengthened to implement contingency plans

10. How does the Protocol function?
World Health Organization
9 April, 2019
Meeting of the Parties (MOP)
Compliance Committee
Bureau
Task Force Surveillance
Task Force on Indicators and Reporting
Task Force on Extreme Weather Events
The highest decision-making body of the Protocol on Water and Health is the Meeting of the Parties. Daily supervision of the work in progress is assured by an elected Bureau. Technical working groups such as the Task Forces on Surveillance, and on Indicators and Reporting as well as TF on Extreme Weather Events are coordinated through the Working Group on Water and Health. A Joint Secretariat hosted by UNECE/ WHO provides administrative and technical support. A Compliance Committee reviews the reports on targets and progress towards these targets submitted by the Parties. For a complete document on the Rules of Procedures under which the Protocol operates see
Working Group on Water and Health
Ad Hoc Project Facilitation Mechanism
Joint Secretariat WHO – UNECE

11. Legal implications of the Protocol are beneficial
World Health Organization
9 April, 2019
Legally binding => ensures long-term commitment and forms a basis for improved regulatory environment
Although legally binding, the Protocol is non confrontational and non judicial
Does not conflict with other obligations (e.g. EU Directives) but
make up for gaps not covered by fragmentary regulation
Facilitates access to other international Conventions, and to Community Acquis
Fundaments for amendement of national legislatation

12. World Health Organization
The Protocol offers:
9 April, 2019
International assistance coordinated and strengthened through Ad Hoc Project Facilitation Mechanism
Basis for cooperation on water and health between the countries of the European Union and other countries of the UNECE and WHO Europe
Identifies and promotes more flexible and cost-effective development alternatives according to regional, national and local priorities
Includes novel approaches such as contingency planning and water safety plan approaches

13. World Health Organization
9 April, 2019
Further advantages:
Designed to support continuous progress with pace and objectives tailored to countries’ priorities and capacities
Programme of work supports implementation and harmonization in the region as well as a framework for dealing with emerging issues
Catalyses coordinated national actions by different stakeholders and promotes inter-sectoral cooperation and holistic approach
Facilitates public participation.

14. World Health Organization
9 April, 2019
Adoption of the Protocol is a demonstration of coordinated governments’ commitment to protection of human health through improved management of water and water related ecosystems.
The Protocol on Water and Health

15. World Health Organization
9 April, 2019
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w w w . u n e c e . o r g / e n v / w a t e r
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