Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Librarynecessary toinvolve thewomenofthecommunity, asthemainmanagers ofwater supply andsanitation facilities, intheplanning, design, operation and maintenance ofsuchfacilities. Waterlegislation needstobemoreflexible to improve allocation efficiency, toprotect theresource baseandtoensureequitable policies forcostrecovery. 19.18 Thereisaneedforincreased knowledge abouttheavailability ofwater resources, particularly inthecaseofgroundwater, andanincreasingly urgent needtomonitor ground-wqter utilization andchanges inwaterquality. 19.19Current levelsoffunding represent onlyafraction ofestimated requirements, whiletheservicing andpayment ofexisting external debtprevents further national investment inwaterresources. Atthesametime,well-conceived waterresources programmes andprojects areinshortsupply. Failure toimplement fullycostrecovery policies insomecaseslimitstheexpansion ofgovernment programmes andresults inlowlevelsofoperation andmaintenance ofexisting projects. Increased attention needstobegiventothegeneration offinancial resources fromnational sources, including, whereappropriate, theinvolvement of theprivate sector andexternal support agencies. 19.20 Waterpollution fromdomestic, industrial andagricultural sourcesisa potentially serious problem fordeveloping countries, although thefulldimensions oftheproblem havenotbeenadequately investigated andanalysed. Salinity and saltwater intrusion intogroundwaterhaveincreased withtheneedforhighe~rates ofabstraction, particularly incoastal areas. Moreattention needstobegivento environmental andhealthconsiderations inwaterresources development, alongwith theinvolvement ofwomeninhealtheducation. 19.21Technological practices areaffected bytechnical, social, cultural and institutional factors. Manycountries areaffected bytechnologies notsuitedto theirparticular conditions andaretherefore notabletooperate, maintain or adaptimported equipment. Technologies should beappropriate tothegiven community andshould bebasedasmuchaspossible onlocalmaterials and manufacture andeaseofmaintenance atthelocallevel. 19.22 Lackoftrained personnel atalllevels andtheinadequacy oftraining facilities andprogrammes constitute severeconstraints tothedevelopment, useand management ofwaterresources. Themainproblems stemfrominadequate t~aining programmes andrigidsystems ofpersonnel management. Muchcouldbegained by givingparticular emphasis totraining womenasactiveparticipants, notonlyin thedesign andmanagement ofwatersystems, butalsoatthepolicyformulation stage. 19.23 Themainobjectives ofthesubprogramme are: (a)Toassistdeveloping countries through technical co-operation activities inordertostrengthen theircapacity tocollect andanalyse dataonsurface and ground-water resources; (b)Toimprove wateruseefficiency through betterplanning andallocation of scarcewaterresources andthrough conservation measures; (c)Toprovide on-the-job training tomiddle-level technicians anddrillers andtousers,especially women,invillage-level operation andmaintenance; -5-necessary toinvolve thewomenofthecommunity, asthemainmanagers ofwater supply andsanitation facilities, intheplanning, design, operation and maintenance ofsuchfacilities. Waterlegislation needstobemoreflexible to improve allocation efficiency, toprotect theresource baseandtoensureequitable policies forcostrecovery. 19.18 Thereisaneedforincreased knowledge abouttheavailability ofwater resources, particularly inthecaseofgroundwater, andanincreasingly urgent needtomonitor ground-wqter utilization andchanges inwaterquality. 19.19Current levelsoffunding represent onlyafraction ofestimated requirements, whiletheservicing andpayment ofexisting external debtprevents further national investment inwaterresources. Atthesametime,well-conceived waterresources programmes andprojects areinshortsupply. Failure toimplement fullycostrecovery policies insomecaseslimitstheexpansion ofgovernment
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on the development and management of water resources, highlighting the importance of involving women in the planning, design, operation, and maintenance of water supply and sanitation facilities. It also touches on issues related to funding, water pollution, and technological practices. These themes suggest that the text is related to natural resources and the environment, as well as economic development.

**Category**
Natural resources and environment, Economic development