Wastewater management in the realization of the rights to water and sanitation 2013, para. 15
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It is difficult to determine what share of the disease burden and other negative impacts can be attributed to inadequate wastewater management and water contamination. Many public health benefits are derived from access to sanitation, avoidance of direct contact with human excreta and improvement of hygienic practice. However, where wastewater is not even confined and people are exposed to pathogens, lack of wastewater management has negative impacts. Conversely, an increase in the level of wastewater management has been shown to result in public health benefits such as reductions in disease mortality independent from income levels and access to sanitation.
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Non-negotiated soft law
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Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation