Public information and education is a critical water conservation priority. A multi-stakeholder and participatory approach involving water users and service providers, governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations needs to be encouraged. Raising awareness of water issues at all levels is deemed critical in the successful implementation of water conservation programmes and activities.

It is anticipated that water conservation activities, such as water loss reduction programmes and public awareness campaigns for rational water use could result in significant water savings. The saved water could then be made available to the under previlidged people who lack sustainable access to water supply services, while new and expensive projects for developing additional water supply sources could be cancelled or postponed for at least several years.

To sensitize and generate a greater degree of awareness to the strategic importance of water conservation in ESCAP member countries  a guidebook on the promotion of public awareness of water conservation is being prepared. It is a  collaborative effort involving  ESCAP and the experts from several countries of the region under a project funded by the Government of Japan. 

The outline of the guidebook was discussed and agreed upon at a seminar held on 23-25 May 2000, while at the other seminar, held on 9-10 November 2000, a draft of the guidebook was discussed and amended by participants. The guidebook is planned to be published in May 2001.