This report is a product of “Wastewater: From Waste to Resource”, an Initiative of the World Bank Water Global Practice, which aims to promote a paradigm shift in the sector, moving away from considering wastewater as a waste and recognizing its inherent value.

Population and economic growth have driven a rapid rise in demand for water resources, and already 36 percent of the world’s population lives in water-scarce regions. In particular, rapid urbanization, especially in low- and middle-income countries, has created various water-related challenges. These include degraded water quality and inadequate water supply and sanitation infrastructure, particularly in expanding peri-urban and informal settlements.