Water

Water, Sanitation, and the Millennium Development Goals
East and Northeast Asia

East and Northeast Asia is home to some of the more prosperous Asian countries and territories, yet is also home to around 15% of the world's population who lack water. The following data was culled from the Asia Water Watch 2015 study by ADB, WHO, UNDP and UNESCAP. East and Northeast Asia China, People's Republic of Mongolia

WATER, SANITATION, AND MDGS Main page Prospects for Achieving MDG 7 Targets East and Northeast Asia North and Central Asia The Pacific South and Southwest Asia Southeast Asia

East and Northeast Asia's population with access to safe drinking water increased from 994 million in 1990 to 1.2 billion in 2002. But with more people migrating to major cities, the urban population with no access to water has increased from 1 million in 1990 to 40 million people in 2002.

Of the countries in East and Northeast Asia, both Japan and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea have achieved 100% water supply and sanitation coverage. The Republic of Korea is not far behind in achieving urban water supply, with a projected 100% coverage by 2015. Data on its sanitation coverage, however, was not available when the report was made.

Mongolia and the People's Republic of China, on the other hand, face great challenges in achieving the MDG 7 Water Supply and Sanitation Targets .

The study specifies that a minimum annual investment of US$3 billion over the next decade will bring East and Northeast Asia on track in meeting the MDG 7 Targets.

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The People's Republic of China's total drinking water coverage in 2002 was at 77%, while sanitation coverage was at 44% in the same year. Data from 2002 indicates that sustainable access to safe drinking water must be provided to roughly 300 million people, and improved sanitation to more than 700 million people.

In 2002, urban water supply coverage in the PRC was at 92% and is projected to reach 98% by 2015, while rural water supply coverage is expected to increase from 68% to 85%. Sanitation coverage in urban areas will increase from 69% in 2002 to 74% by 2015, while coverage in rural areas will reach 51% from the 2002 coverage of 29%.

Given its annual compounded growth rate of 0.8% from 1990 to 2002, PRC is on track to meet the water supply target. Without further investments in sanitation, however, PRC will encounter difficulties in meeting the sanitation target, even with a remarkable 5.6% annual compounded growth rate.

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In general, Mongolia's expansion in water supply coverage has barely met the demands of its growing population. Its 62% total water supply coverage in 1990 has remained at 62% in 2002.

Coverage rates for both urban and rural water supply were the same for 1990 and 2002—87% for urban water supply and 30% for rural water supply. Its sanitation coverage was at 59% in 2002. Without greater investments to boost developments in the water sector, Mongolia may not achieve MDG 7 Targets.