This new UN report says that funding for water & sanitation has declined as a share of overall development aid and informs that improved access to sanitation & water produces economic benefits that range from $3 - $34 per dollar invested.

The UN-Water GLAAS 2010 report attempts to provide a deeper understanding of the catalysts for, and obstacles to, progress by integrating and summarizing sanitation and drinking-water data and trends in new ways that not only provide insight but also generate questions and new ideas for improving upon sanitation and drinking-water inputs and outputs. There are three main parts to the GLAAS 2010 report: Part 1 presents an analysis of priority-setting, examines targeting of sanitation and drinking-water funds and external aid, and discusses the adequacy of financial flows. Part 2 discusses the sustainability of drinking-water and sanitation services along with current status and trends concerning sanitation and drinking-water policies, institutions, planning and monitoring, budgets and human resources in developing countries. Part 3 examines opportunities for improving performance through stakeholder coordination, aid alignment and mutual accountability.

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/UN-Water_GLAAS_2... [2]