Wastewater management in the realization of the rights to water and sanitation 2013, para. 61
Paragraph
Paragraph text
Technically, wastewater treatment is possible to almost any standard. However, water of extremely high quality is required only for drinking or certain human uses; other livelihood activities and certain industrial and agricultural uses can do with water of lower quality. This allows for a phased approach to wastewater management, as even preliminary or primary treatment can bring significant benefits. The PRODES programme in Brazil provides an interesting example in this context. It starts by stipulating a minimum requirement for primary treatment and continues with increasing standards, determined according to the specific context (see www.ana.gov.br/prodes/).
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation