Reporting under the Protocol
Every three years, Parties to the Protocol are required to submit summary reports, which provide an overview of the national situation with water, sanitation, hygiene and health. Also other countries submit summary reports on a voluntary basis. The reporting cycle is a rich data hub for the pan-European region, containing information on existing environmental and health legislation and policies as well as data on several thematic aspects covered by the Protocol.
What type of information can you find in the reports?
Overview of national or local targets set by countries in the areas of water, sanitation, hygiene and health. These objectives address issues such as access to water and sanitation, protection of water resources, climate adaptation in the water and health sectors, prevention of water-related diseases, or reuse of wastewater in agriculture
Data regarding the status of drinking water quality across the pan-European region (microbiological and chemical quality)
Data on outbreaks and incidents of infectious diseases related to water, such as typhoid fever or viral hepatitis A. Countries also describe their national systems for water-related disease surveillance and response
Data on access to WASH services, in both urban and rural areas and also outside of the collective system for water supply and sewerage. Reports also address the provision of WASH in public institutions such as health care facilities and schools
Information on the management, protection and use of freshwater resources, including with respect to water use and exploitation across sectors such as agriculture and industry
Information on risk-based approaches to drinking water supply
Information on equitable access to water and sanitation, including regarding policies or programmes addressing access to WASH for vulnerable and marginalized groups and the affordability of services
What’s new?
An electronic tool for reporting is also under development, which will allow for a more visual display of the information.
- Sixth reporting cycle (2022-2024)
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The sixth reporting cycle under the Protocol on Water and Health will be launched in November 2024 and will finish by 10 April 2025.
- Fifth reporting cycle (2020-2022)
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Document title ENG FRE RUS Background documents Template for summary reports under the Protocol on Water and Health DOC DOC DOC Guidelines for summary reports in accordance with article 7 of the Protocol on Water and Health PDF PDF PDF - Fourth reporting cycle (2019)
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Key highlights
- Many countries set targets under the Protocol concerning their environment and health legislation, as improvements in the legal framework are considered the first step to implement targets;
- Most of the targets set by countries relate to safe and efficient management of sanitation and equitable access to WASH services;
- Climate change impacts are increasingly addressed;
- Drinking water quality has improved compared to the third reporting cycle, but most countries do not provide segregated data for urban/rural areas;
- Far fewer people have access to sanitation than to drinking water.
- Third reporting cycle (2016)
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Key highlights
- Intersectoral coordination between the water, environment and health sectors was strengthened when compared to the first reporting cycle and is now in place at national and subnational levels in the majority of the reporting countries;
- There is a strong focus on capacity building on water, sanitation, hygiene and health, highlighting the need for investment;
- Countries make use of surveys developed in the context of international monitoring mechanisms for SDG6 (e.g. GLAAS or JMP) for their baseline analysis under the Protocol.
- Second reporting cycle (2013)
- First reporting cycle (2010)
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Key highlights
- Challenges were reported by countries include lack of effective cross-sectoral cooperation among different authorities responsible for water resources, WASH services and health, and lack of public involvement in the implementation of the Protocol