The better off living in cities around the world typically consume around 200 litres per person per day. We believe that finding ways to provide and manage the use of similar amounts of water in support of poor people’s livelihoods is vital.

Read more or download Poor people deserve access to more water.pdf  (159 kB)

Productive uses of water at the household level include a range of small-scale activities that enable people to grow food, earn income and save expenditure: fruit and vegetable production, keeping livestock, food processing, brick making and building, and a wide range of informal micro-enterprises.

Read more or download Access to productive water supplies.pdf  (226 kB)

It is universally accepted that people should have access to a basic domestic water supply (often ranging between 25-50 litres per person per day). Poor people also need access to water for productive uses. Total household water requirements including water for productive uses are likely to be in the range 50-200 litres per person per day.

Read more or download Poor people have more than basic needs.pdf  (191 kB)

The sustainability of domestic water supply systems can be increased by explicitly including productive water uses that provide the means and motivation for people to engage in the management of systems. These uses generate income that can be invested in system improvement and maintenance.

Read more or download Productive use enhances sustainability.pdf  (102 kB)

People’s water needs are typically met through multiple sources - from rainwater to wastewater to piped systems. Rarely do people rely on single sources. And single sources tend to be used for multiple purposes.

Read more or download Multiple sources for multiple uses.pdf  (233 kB)

Productive uses of water at the household level, that benefit large numbers of people, should lie at the heart of initiatives to promote integrated water resources management (IWRM).

Read more or download From bucket to basin.pdf  (176 kB)

Improving access to water will not, on its own, eradicate poverty. People need better access to markets and credit, and to overcome many other constraints to make best use of more water. Collaborative partnerships with agriculture, education, health and enterprise-based programmes can overcome some of these multiple constraints.

Read more or download Not just water.pdf  (276 kB)