January 25, 2012
US water and sanitation investment needs better strategy and targeting
WaterAid / Zute Lightfoot
US Implementation of the Water for the Poor Act: Tracking Insufficient Progress on Clean Water and Sanitation, the organizations’ fourth annual joint response to the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act (P.L. 109-211) Report to Congress 2011, calls for urgent action to implement the law and improve the capacity and strategic approach taken from USAID headquarters to country-level missions.
Water, sanitation and hygiene are essential for human health and development. Great progress has been made, but the requirements of the Water for the Poor Act must be fully met for US tax dollars to go farthest and the benefits of water, sanitation and hygiene to be fully realized. 
- Lisa Schechtman, Head of Policy & Advocacy, WaterAid, America
Six years ago, the landmark Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act became law. The new report reveals that, although there have been critical contributions to alleviating the global water crisis since then, the US Government has not yet fully implemented the Water for the Poor Act.
Among critical gaps are a failure to properly target aid to those who need it most and the ongoing lack of a comprehensive water strategy to guide US programs in international water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). This year’s report continues the call for urgent US action to through implementation of the law and improvements in the capacity and strategic approach taken from headquarters to country-level missions.
“Water, sanitation and hygiene are essential for human health and development. Great progress has been made, but the requirements of the Water for the Poor Act must be fully met for US tax dollars to go farthest and the benefits of water, sanitation and hygiene to be fully realized. This would save thousands more lives and lift entire communities out of poverty. In next year’s annual report, we hope to be able to highlight progress in all areas of the Water for the Poor Act,” said Lisa Schechtman, Head of Policy and Advocacy at WaterAid in America.
A comprehensive water strategy designed by the US Government in cooperation with international and indigenous civil societies is central to the full implementation of the Water for the Poor Act. However, the report finds that this requirement is incomplete; moreover, the US Department of State and USAID have conducted only limited consultations with civil society to inform the strategy.
These consultations are required by law, and are essential to ensuring the final strategy reflects the experience and expertise of the many partners that join USAID in addressing the water and sanitation crises worldwide.
On a more positive note, the US Government made some progress toward a comprehensive approach to water programming. The report highlights some effort to integrate water issues and other development challenges under the Presidential initiatives on food security, global health, and climate change. There remain, however, large gaps that must be addressed.
The administration also made some headway on promoting global progress in the water crisis through US leadership. A senior water coordinator was established at USAID, tasked with championing global leadership. Similarly, a senior position has been established at the Department of State. Yet neither of these positions is fully institutionalized, hampering predictability and coordination. WASH capacity and expertise is inconsistent at the mission level, a serious detriment to full implementation of any strategy and a barrier to prioritization of WASH.
Lastly, the report analyzes the US Government’s efforts in delivering water, sanitation and hygiene to those who need it most. According to the report, these efforts have been inconsistent at best. The report states that “USAID funding to low-income communities for water, sanitation and hygiene represented only 33 percent, or less than 50 percent of the levels required for good donor practices.” This is despite evidence showing that the poorest people benefit most from receiving water, sanitation and hygiene services.
WaterAid calls on the US Government to:
- Fully implement the Senator Paul Simon Water for the Poor Act;
- Develop a comprehensive water strategy in consultation with international and indigenous NGOs;
- Ensure the Presidential initiatives, especially Feed the Future and Global Health Initiative, prioritize water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions in order to combat child mortality and malnutrition, and that relevant funding is protected and increased; and
- Improve pro-poor targeting to ensure that WASH-poverty, income inequality, and the potential to positively impact a range of health and development objectives are given priority when determining where US aid will be directed.