US Environmental Protection Agency Water Safety Plans in East Africa

1. US Environmental Protection Agency Water Safety Plans in East Africa Teresa Kuklinski US EPA - Office of International and Tribal Affairs IWA Africa Water Safety Plan Workshop May 24, 2011

2. Outline • US EPA & International Priorities • US EPA’s Africa Program • US EPA Administrator’s Mission to Africa • Why Water Safety Plans? • Collaboration with IWA in East Africa • Global Water Safety Plan Engagement

3. US EPA • EPA is the US federal government agency responsible for “protecting human health and the environment” • Our international priorities include: • Expanding Access to Clean Water • Building Strong Environmental Institutions and Legal Structures • Combating Climate Change by Limiting Pollutants • Improving Air Quality • Reducing Exposure to Toxic Chemicals • Cleaning Up E-Waste

4. US EPA’s Africa Program • Focus on • Urban and industrial pollution issues • Protecting human health, particularly vulnerable populations, such as children and the poor • Issues • Good environmental governance • Water and sanitation • Ambient air quality and clean fuels and vehicles • Clean cookstoves and indoor air quality • Mercury and electronic waste

5. US EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s February 2011 mission to Africa: Visit to Kibera with UN-HABITAT Executive Director Dr. Joan Clos and Prof. Kairu of Maji na Ufanisi (Water and Development).

6. Why Water Safety Plans? • A holistic approach to addressing the entire drinking water system – catchment to consumer. • Opportunity to make informed choices and address trade-offs in a risk-based and systematic way. • Involves a range of stakeholders, community leaders and partners -- as well as champions -- which makes plans more sustainable. • Guide for investment strategies for drinking water system improvements. • Addresses O&M needs with a comprehensive approach. • Addresses lack of resources by creating an assessment of the whole system and determining where the greatest needs and efficiencies can be gained.

7. US EPA’s Collaboration on Water Safety Plans in Africa • EPA is partnering with the International Water Association (IWA) to promote and deploy Water Safety Plans in East Africa -- providing expertise, funding and support. • Partner with local utilities, governments, other donors, UN-HABITAT, and our US government partners, including USAID, Centers for Disease Control, US State Department and SUWASA. • Promote Water Operator Partnerships (WOPs) as a peer-to-peer mechanism to develop WSPs. • Pilot Drinking Water Quality Knowledge and Advisory Service (DEKAS) and enhance WSPortal for African Utilities. • Improve regional knowledge of WSPs and develop an East African regional network. • Use WSPs as an umbrella for improving delivery of clean drinking water. • Work to bring disadvantaged populations and informal settlements under the umbrella.

8. Global Water Safety Plan Engagement • Established partnerships with key organizations that support WSP approach including WHO, IWA, CDC, PAHO, and a regional utility network in Latin America. • Launched Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Network. • Identified champions at the local and national level to promote WSPs. • Introduced demonstration projects in key urban areas –Hyderabad, India, Spanish Town, Jamaica and Vicosa, Brazil. • Provided input into WHO guidance materials. • Supported design of WSPortal: www.who.int/wsportal

9. More information Teresa Kuklinski US EPA Office of International and Tribal Affairs Office of Regional and Bilateral Affairs Eurasia, Africa, Middle East Program Phone: 202-564-0246 Email: Kuklinski.teresa@epa.gov EPA’s Africa Program Webpage: http://www.epa.gov/oiamount/regions/Africa/programs.html