Note: This is the 1997 edition of UNEP's Global Environment Outlook. If you are interested in more recent information, please see the 2000 and 2002 editions.

Table 2.4. Water Quality Issues in the Asia-Pacific Region
Quality Issues South Asia South-East Asia Pacific Islands People’s Republic
of China		 Japan, Australia,
and New Zealand
Pathogenic agents 1-3 1-2 2-3 1-3 0-1
Organic matter 1-3 0-2 0-1 1-3 0-1
Salinization 0-1 0-1 0-3 0-2 0-1
Nitrate 0-1 0-1 1-2 0-2 0-1
Fluoride 0-1 0 0 0-2 0
Eutrophication 0-1 0-3 0 0-2 0-1
Heavy metals 0-1 0-2 0-1 0-2 0-2
Pesticides 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1 0-1
Sediment load 0-2 0-2 0-1 0-1 0-1
Acidification 0 0-1 0 0-1 0-1

Source:
ESCAP (1991).
Notes:
0 = No pollution or irrelevant.
1 = Some pollution (water can be used if appropriate measures are taken).
2 = Major pollution.
3 = Severe pollution affecting basic water uses.