52 e. Take appropriate measures for the national management of water resources and the preservation of water against pollution; f. Promote sustainable use of water resources. Ensure that there is appropriate education concerning the hygienic use of water, protection of water sources and methods to minimize water wastage. g. Adopt comprehensive and integrated strategies and programmes to ensure that there is sufficient and safe water for present and future generations. Such strategies may include: 1. reducing depletion of water resources by halting unsustainable extraction, diversion and damming; 2. reducing and eliminating contamination of watersheds and waterrelated eco-systems; 3. monitoring water reserves; 4. ensuring that proposed developments do not interfere with access to adequate water; 5. assessing the impacts of actions that may impinge upon water availability and natural ecosystem watersheds; 6. reducing water wastage in its distribution; 7. response mechanisms for emergency situations; and 8. establishing competent institutions and appropriate institutional arrangements to carry out the strategies and programmes; h. Formulate and implement national water and sanitation strategies and plans of action that should respect, inter alia, the principles of non-discrimination and ensure the right of everyone to participate in decision-making affecting their right to water and sanitation; i. Take steps to ensure that local government authorities and other governance entities not part of central government manage water and sanitation services in their own areas, and under their authority so as to facilitate universal access to water and sanitation in sufficient quantity, quality and continuity, and at an affordable and equitable price. States should promote pro active citizen involvement in defining water and sanitation policies at the local level in a democratic and inclusive manner. In this regard states parties should increase financing for local water and sanitation infrastructure to address the needs of poor persons and peoples lacking access to water and sanitation; and contribute to developing local government capacity to improve effective water supply and sanitation services. j. Ensure that the private ownership of water and sanitation services, or any privatisation of water and sanitation services, does not take place in the absence of a clear and efficient regulatory framework that ensures sustainable access to safe, sufficient, physically accessible and affordable water and sanitation. States are obligated to regulate and monitor private