PROBLEMS IN THE WIDESPREAD ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS The following
are qualitative descriptions of the most pressing environmental
concerns facing most rural areas. The most widespread
environmental problem, affecting almost all rural areas with
populations of any size, is the safe disposal of liquid domestic
wastes, particularly human wastes and urban sewage. Few
developing countries have adequate waste collection and
treatment facilities even in the most developed urban areas, and
those that exist are costly and seldom properly maintained. In
spite of considerable efforts at rural sanitation, facilities in
many rural areas are still rudimentary or entirely lacking. The
result is serious water pollution both of fresh water supplies
(wells, springs, rivers, groundwater and even rainwater
catchments) and of coastal waters around beaches, reefs and
lagoons that are important for tourism, recreation and fishing.
This pollution presents grave risks to human health. It is only
in the last few decades that countries h