Congressional Research Service Report Released: Global Access to Clean Drinking Water and Sanitation: U.S. and International Programs

The Congressional Research Service (CRS), the public policy research arm of Congress, just issued the report Global Access to Clean Drinking Water and Sanitation: U.S. and International Programs (Sept. 10, 2012). The 40 page report authored by Tiaji Salaam- Blyther discusses the

bilateral WASH schemes authorized by the Water for the Poor Act. These programs are monitored and reported by the Department of State and implemented primarily by USAID and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). In FY2009, USAID and MCC accounted for roughly 90% of all U.S. spending on the issue. [ ] Broader water-related efforts supported by other U.S. agencies and departments[ ]are not addressed, nor are water and sanitation efforts implemented by a variety of international actors—including multilateral groups like the World Bank, private businesses like Procter and Gamble, and foundations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This report identifies some issues that donors and U.S. agencies face while carrying out global drinking water and sanitation projects.