SBR- Content.pmd - INBO

State of the Basin Report - 20034.7 Improving the focus, collection and use of LMB dataFor success in measuring improvement, relevantstakeholders in the basin should be encouraged tocollect data that: (a) meet uniform standards,preferably in accord with formats established bythe joint Global Water Supply and SanitationAssessment Report; 32 (b) can be grouped into LMBand non-LMB clusters, and ideally into Sub-areascorresponding with those used in MRC’s BasinDevelopment Plan and in national administrativeunits; (c) show the mix of technologies used inways that are comparable, promote choice andmonitor the essential transition from likely unsafeto potentially safe systems; (d) include insights intouse, condition, sustainability, likely impact andequity (rather than just a “snapshot” of coverage);and (e) give a consistent basis for comparison ofinvestment and recurrent costs (total, per capita andfor each technology used) as well as for number ofpeople served, installations completed, andquantity and quality of water supplied.Regular monitoring procedures need strengtheningso that data are more reflective of the changingOf the eight most common health complaints inCambodia, all but two are water linkedsituation, and provide managers, planners and communities with relevant information. Analysis andinformation sharing skills need improvement so that data are available and used. Finally, as waterfor domestic use and sanitation is a complex matrix of technical and social/behavioural issues, therealso needs to be much more emphasis on mutual learning and feedback regarding the methodologiesapplied in order to understand what works and what does not work, and why. The focus shouldtherefore be much broader than on statistical data alone.5. ConclusionMeeting needs in the LMB for adequatedomestic water and sanitation services isa great challenge. In much of the basin,the population is growing rapidly, and asdevelopment increases, competition forwater is likely to grow and water qualityto decline as well. There is also a need toclose the growing gap between people whohave adequate water and sanitationservices and those who do not. Inequitiescurrently exist based on geographiclocation, income, gender and ethnicity.The potential triple benefits from improveddomestic water and sanitation, betterhealth, time saving and convenience, areWater treatment becomes increasingly difficult andexpensive as pollution levels rise262