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ENSURE ACCESS TO WATER AND SANITATION FOR ALL

Access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene is the most basic human need for health and well-
being. Billions of people will lack access to these basic services in 2030 unless progress
quadruples. Demand for water is rising owing to rapid population growth, urbanization and
increasing water needs from agriculture, industry, and energy sectors. The demand for water
has outpaced population growth, and half the world’s population is already experiencing severe
water scarcity1 at least one month a year. Water scarcity is projected to increase with the rise
of global temperatures as a result of climate change. Investments in infrastructure and sanitation
facilities; protection and restoration of water- related ecosystems; and hygiene education are
among the steps necessary to ensure universal access to safe and affordable drinking water for
all by 2030, and improving water-use efficiency2 is one key to reducing water stress. There has
been positive progress. Between 2015 and 2022, the proportion of the world’s population with
access to safely managed drinking water3 increased from 69% to 73%.

Why?

Access to water, sanitation and hygiene is a human right. To get back on track, key strategies
include increasing sector-wide investment and capacity-building, promoting innovation and
evidence-based action, enhancing cross-sectoral coordination and cooperation among all
stakeholders, and adopting a more integrated and holistic approach to water management. Water
is essential not only to health, but also to poverty reduction, food security, peace and human
rights, ecosystems and education. Nevertheless, countries face growing challenges linked to
water scarcity, water pollution, degraded water-related ecosystems and cooperation over
transboundary water basins4.

What are the challenges?

In 2022, 2.2 billion people still lacked safely managed drinking water, including 703 million
without a basic water service; 3.5 billion people lacked safely managed sanitation, including
1.5 billion without basic sanitation services5; and 2 billion lacked a basic handwashing facility,
including 653 million with no handwashing facility at all. By managing our water sustainably,
we are also able to better manage our production of food and energy and contribute to decent
work and economic growth. Moreover, we can preserve our water ecosystems, their
biodiversity, and take action on climate change.
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DEFINITION OF KEY TECNNICAL TERMS

1. Water Scarcity:

Is water that’s clean and safe to drink. It’s always available when you need it and it’s easy to
get, usually right in your home. This means you don’t have to worry about getting sick from
drinking it. It’s like having a clean, fresh water tap that’s always ready for you to use.

2. Water-Use Efficiency:

Are the ways we make sure human waste is taken care of safely. This could be toilets in our
homes that are connected to sewer systems, septic tanks, or other methods that keep waste away
from people. This is important because it helps keep our environment clean and prevents
diseases. It’s like having a safe and private bathroom that keeps our communities healthy.

3. Safely Managed Drinking Water:

Is about using water wisely. It’s like making sure that every drop of water counts and none is
wasted. This is especially important in places like farms and factories where a lot of water is
used. By being efficient, we can make sure there’s enough water for everyone and everything,
now and in the future. It’s like turning off the tap while brushing your teeth to save water.

4. Transboundary Water Basins:

Is when there’s not enough water for everyone’s needs. This could be because there’s not much
water in the area, or because the water isn’t clean and safe to use. It’s like being thirsty on a hot
day and not having enough water to drink. This can be a big problem for people, plants, and
animals, especially in very dry places.

5. Basic Sanitation Services:

Are areas where water, like rivers or lakes, flows across one or more borders. These borders
can be within a country, like between different states, or between different countries. It’s like a
river that starts in one country and flows into another. Managing these water resources can be
a challenge because it requires cooperation between different places. It’s like neighbors sharing
a garden and needing to agree on how to take care of it.
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COMMENT

This text provides a comprehensive overview of water access and sanitation, a fundamental
human right and a cornerstone of public health. It explores the challenges and potential
solutions to ensure universal access to these services.

The text predicts that billions could lack access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene by 2030
unless progress is accelerated. This underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for
immediate action.

The text emphasizes the increasing demand for water due to population growth, urbanization,
and the needs of sectors like agriculture, industry, and energy. It draws attention to the link
between climate change and water scarcity, underscoring the need for climate action as part of
the solution.

The text outlines strategies to ensure universal access to safe and affordable drinking water.
These include investments in infrastructure and sanitation facilities, protection and restoration
of water-related ecosystems, hygiene education, and improving water-use efficiency.

Despite the challenges, the text points to positive progress, with the proportion of the world's
population with access to safely managed drinking water increasing from 69% to 73% between
2015 and 2022.

In conclusion, this text serves as a resource for understanding the complexities of the global
water crisis and the steps necessary to address it. It underscores the urgency of the situation,
highlights the multifaceted nature of the problem, and provides a roadmap for action. It is a
reminder that water is not just a resource, but a lifeline, and ensuring its access for all is one of
the most pressing challenges of our time.

Source of the text: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/water-and-sanitation/