Water quality issues

Unaccounted for water is very high in developing countries. A recent study by the south-east asian water utilities network in 40 water utilities showed unaccounted for water ranging from 10% to 48%. Leakages in poorly piped water systems and excessive use of water in the industrial sector, in residential sector, in residential areas and for recreational purposes have resulted in cities like Bankok, Chennal and Manila experiencing aquifer dropa of between 10 and 50 meters.

There are some water quality issues. There is ample evidence that massive urban growth and industralization are accomplished by serious contamination of water resources. One of the major water quality problems is microbiological contamination; cross-contamination of sewage into broken water pipes is one example. About 76% of the urban population has access to an improved sanitary facility, but most of the sewage systems in cities are old and overloaded. Many sewage treatment plants do not function properly or at all. Untreated or partially treated sewage finds its way into water source. In kathmandu, out of the five waste water treatment plants operated by the Nepal water supply corporation, only one was found functional in 2008.

About 45 million people in urban areas in the region still practices open defection, which can also lead to water pollution. In addition, there is chemical contamination from industrial wastewater, pesticides from agriculture and leachate from landfill sites.