The weekly digest of important reports, research, policy documents, regulations, studies, court cases, protests, conflicts, initiatives, photos, data, statistics, infographics, presentations on the India Environment Portal, 31 August 2014 - 06 September 2014.

The International Red Cross (IRC) has released a book, titled “Priceless! Uncovering the Real Costs of Water and Sanitation,” as part of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Cost (WASHCost) initiative.

This study explores the potential of prepaid meters for serving urban poor communities. It provides urban utilities, oversight agencies, and other stakeholders in Africa with a basis for decision-making on the suitability, introduction, and management of such meters.

Well-run water utilities play an important role in ending poverty and boosting shared prosperity. Consumers need reliable access to high quality and affordable water and sanitation services.

According to this 2014 revision of the World Urbanization Prospects produced by the UN Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs Africa and Asia are urbanizing faster than other regions and the largest urban growth will take place in India, China and Nigeria. These three countries will account for 37 per cent of the projected growth of the world’s urban population between 2014 and 2050.