17 percentage points short of its targets of 73 per cent, and in the level of sanitation services remaining static. 74. In the Economic Commission for Europe region (including Canada and the United States) comprising countries which, for the most part, already had high levels of water supply and sanitation services, the Decade stimulated interest in the sector, The ECE countries specifically focused attention on raising the levels of rural water supply and sanitation coverage, where at the start of the Decade, 15 per cent of the population lacked satisfactory water services and 30 per cent were without appropriate sanitation, mostly in remote and topographically difficult areas, The Decade also coincided with an increased awareness that many of the old sewer systems were suffering from the ravages of time and major rehabilitation work wag required. In the case of drinking water supply, Special attention was directed towards the thre,at to water resources used for domestic supply purposes posed by intensive agriculture, in the form of nitrates, phosphates and pesticides, and from the disposal of industrial wastes, and towards the health problems associated with old water distribution systems. /. . .A/45/327 English Page 22 Table 3. Percentage increase in the number of people provided with flserved, 1980-1990 servic s an Region/sectorIncreases in Increases in number coverage unserved (per cent) (per cent) Africa.~ Urban water 77 29 Rural -water 57 7 Urban sanitation 106 2 Rural sanitation 78 11 Latin America and the Caribbean Urban water 45 -1 Rural water 31 -29 Urban sanitation 39 31 Rural sanitation 67 -20 Asia and the Pacific Urban water 46 18 Rural water 175 -47 * Urban sanitation 39 39 Rural sanitation 48 -9 Western Asia Urban water 69 -88 Rural water 28 5 Urban sanitation 104 -100 Rural sanitation 17 17 Global totals Urban water 51 15
**Analysis**
The text discusses the progress of water supply and sanitation services during the United Nations' Decade for Water Supply and Sanitation (1980-1990) in different regions, highlighting the achievements and challenges faced. The text mentions the importance of raising rural water supply and sanitation coverage, addressing health problems associated with old water distribution systems, and the threats to water resources posed by intensive agriculture and industrial wastes. This suggests that the text is primarily concerned with the provision of essential services and the management of natural resources, which are crucial for human well-being and economic development.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, Health