Our understanding of the interrelationships between people, resources, environment and development has advanced significantly during the past decade. This paper reviews the close interrelationships among health, environment and water development — both small and large scale — and points out that changes in one area are likely to have repercussions in other areas. Some of these changes could be beneficial while others could be adverse. Examples of such changes are given from different parts of the world. It is argued that without proper understanding of these interrelationships, it is unlikely that water development projects can be sustained over the long term or continue to produce optimal benefits.
By Asit K. Biswas, 1985. Article published in The Environmental Professional, Volume 7, Pages 128-134.