With the advent of the International Drinking Water and Sanitation Decade and the increased activities in prospect, A.I.D. as the principal U.S. Agency involved in worldwide water and sanitation activities, should have a more definitive statement of policy. To provide a scientific basis for such a policy, the Office of Health, Development Support Bureau of AID, convened an expert panel to "explore what guidelines, relating particularly to water quality, will be most productive in providing water and sanitation facilities to those in need of such services." The World Bank, which has a large lending program in the water and sanitation sector, and is a member organization of the United Nations actively involved in the International Drinking Water and Sanitation Decade, supported the work of the panel by participation in the preparation of background documentation and review of the panel 's report. AID is in the process at the present moment of preparing a set of policies relating to Decade activities. Compiled for ready reference is the background information used by the panel, along with the panel report.