Goals of the Water Quality and Environment Programme are aimed to achieve environmental sustainability, prevent unsustainable exploitation of water resources, and to achieve water quality for safe agricultural production and public health. With today's population growth, urbanization, economic and industrial development, efficiency in water management is forever challenging with increased pressures on water quantity and quality. In water scarce countries, treated wastewater is seen as a valuable substitute in irrigation of agricultural lands in which FAO has been involved in a number of activities in terms of organizing workshops and network establishment, publishing reports, guidelines and manuals, and providing direct country support on wastewater management, reclamation, and reuse.

FAO and UNEP, as members of the Dialogue on Water, Food and Environment Programme, have been engaged in joint-cooperations in assessing water-related environmental consequences of future agricultural development and to assist governments and stakeholders from the private sector and the civil society in multidisciplinary analysis and strategic planning for long-term agricultural development, based on sustainable water resource use. Improved water management in terms of integrated approach to water management creates conditions where sustainable ecosystems management is possible as well as pollution prevention and meeting water quality objectives evaluated in terms of water aptitude to sustain specific, desired water uses.