The International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade aimed to improve access to clean water and sanitation, but fell short of its goal by 1990. Despite this, it raised awareness and developed sustainable strategies. Challenges remain in providing equal coverage to urban and rural areas, balancing water supply and sanitation, involving women in management, and accelerating progress. To address these issues in the 1990s, a focus on management, monitoring, and advocacy is crucial for significant improvements in sector performance.