Water

Water, Sanitation, and the Millennium Development Goals
Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia has significantly expanded access to improved sanitation. As for water supply, the region is also likely to achieve targets in urban areas, but will encounter difficulties in rural areas. The following data was culled from the Asia Water Watch 2015 study by ADB, WHO, UNDP and UNESCAP.

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

Southeast Asia's progress in water supply coverage since 1990 was primarily focused on urban areas, with the booming population of mega-cities such as Bangkok, Manila, and Jakarta. Rural areas are not likely to meet the water supply indicator.

The region, however, has significantly expanded access to improved sanitation facilities in both rural and urban areas since 1990. If they continue to meet their past annual rates of increase, most countries in this subregion will likely meet the sanitation indicator of Target 10 in at least urban or rural areas.

Singapore has achieved 100% coverage in both water supply and sanitation. Malaysia is not far behind and is expected to achieve MDG 7 Targets by 2015.

With a minimum annual investment of around US$1 billion over the next decade, Southeast Asia can be expected to be on track as far as meeting the MDG 7 Targets.

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Only 34% of Cambodia's 13.8 million people have access to drinking water, with urban coverage at 58% and rural coverage at 29%. A mere 16% has access to improved sanitation, with urban coverage much higher than rural coverage—53% and 8% respectively—one of the lowest coverage levels in the Asia Pacific region.

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Between 1990 and 2002, Indonesia's drinking water supply coverage increased from 71% to 78%. Rural coverage increased from 62% from 69% in 1990, while urban coverage declined from 92% to 89%. Based on the country's annual compounded growth rate of 0.79%, it is highly unlikely that Indonesia will meet the target for water supply.

The country's sanitation sector suffers the same predicament. While there were some increases in urban coverage, rural coverage remained the same. If Indonesia continues at this pace, it will have one of the lowest rural coverage rates in all of Asia and the Pacific, with just 42% of its rural population having access to improved sanitation. Urban coverage rates are headed toward the same conclusion, with only 76% of the populace expected to have access to improved sanitation in 2015.

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Only 43% of Lao PDR's total population has access to drinking water, with urban coverage at 66% and rural coverage at 38%. Sanitation coverage is at 24%, with urban coverage much higher than rural coverage—61% and 14%, respectively—one of the lowest coverage levels in the Asia and Pacific region, along with Cambodia and Timor-Leste.

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In 2002, 80% of the entire populace had access to safe water supply, up from 48% in 1990. Urban coverage rate was at 95%, while rural coverage was at 74%. These are significant developments given that coverage rates were significantly lower in 1990—73% for urban areas and 40% for rural areas.

Sanitation coverage was at 73% of the total population in 2002. Urban coverage more than doubled from 39% in 1990 to 96% in 2002, and rural coverage tripled from 15% in 1990 to 63% in 2002.

Across Asia and the Pacific, Myanmar poster the highest annual compounded growth rates, with 4.35% in water supply and 10.9% in sanitation.

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Water supply coverage rates generally decreased between 1990 and 2002. In urban areas, coverage decreased from 93% to 90%; in the rural areas, the decline was from 82% to 77%.

Contrary to the water supply situation, the country showed marked improvements in its sanitation coverage. About 81% of urban populace had improved sanitation facilities in 2002, up from 63% in 1990. Rural areas posted 81% coverage in 2002, up from 63% in 1990.

The country needs to do more in the water supply sector in order to meet the water supply indicator. However, assuming its annual compounded growth rate of 2.5% is maintained, it stands a good chance of meeting the sanitation target.

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In 2002, 95% of Thailand's urban populace had access to water supply but only 82% had the same access in the rural areas.

Improved sanitation coverage is at 99% for the total population, with 97% coverage in urban areas and 100% in rural areas. Assuming it maintains its annual compounded growth rate of 1.8%, Thailand will likely achieve 100% improved sanitation coverage by 2015.

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In 2002, water supply coverage in Viet Nam was at 93% for urban areas and 67% for rural areas.

Making the highest sanitation coverage increase of any Southeast Asian country, Viet Nam posted annual compounded growth rates of 5% for urban areas and 4% for rural areas, bringing the 2002 coverage levels to 84% for urban areas (up from 46%) and 26% for rural areas (up from 16%).

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Around 73% of the country's population had access to water supply services; only 51% receive the same service in the rural areas. Sanitation coverage for urban areas is at 65% while rural coverage is at 30%.

Along with Cambodia and Lao PDR, Timor-Leste has one of the lowest coverage levels in the region.