💧 SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Goal:
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

🌐 Why SDG 6 Matters

Water and sanitation are essential for life, health, and dignity. Lack of clean water and sanitation causes disease, hinders education, and limits economic opportunities.

  • 🚰 Over 2 billion people lack safely managed drinking water at home.

  • 🚽 Nearly 3.6 billion people don’t have safely managed sanitation services.

  • 🌍 Water scarcity affects more than 40% of the global population, worsening with climate change.

  • 🦠 Poor water and sanitation cause diarrheal diseases, leading to nearly 500,000 child deaths annually.

  • 💧 Water is vital for food production, energy generation, and industrial activities.

  • 💪 Sustainable water management improves health, supports ecosystems, and reduces poverty.

🧭 Key Targets of SDG 6

Target Description Target Year
6.1 Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water 2030
6.2 Achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene, and end open defecation 2030
6.3 Improve water quality by reducing pollution, minimizing release of hazardous chemicals 2030
6.4 Increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals 2030
6.5 Implement integrated water resources management at all levels 2030
6.6 Protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including wetlands and rivers 2020+
6.a Expand international cooperation and capacity-building in water- and sanitation-related activities Ongoing
6.b Support local community participation in water and sanitation management Ongoing

📊 Progress and Challenges

Progress:

  • 🚰 More people than ever have access to improved drinking water sources.

  • 🚽 Increased access to basic sanitation facilities globally.

  • 🌍 Growing investments in water infrastructure and technologies.

  • 📊 Improved data collection and monitoring of water and sanitation coverage.

Challenges:

  • 🚱 Billions still lack safely managed water and sanitation services.

  • 🌪️ Climate change causes more droughts and floods, disrupting water supplies.

  • 🧪 Pollution from agriculture, industry, and households contaminates water bodies.

  • 💧 Overuse and inefficient water use strain freshwater resources.

  • 🏘️ Rural and marginalized communities face the greatest barriers.

  • 🛠️ Infrastructure gaps and lack of financing hinder progress.

🧠 Who Is Involved?

  • Governments: Develop and maintain water and sanitation policies, infrastructure, and regulations.

  • UN Agencies: UNICEF, WHO, UN-Water coordinate global efforts and standards.

  • NGOs and Community Groups: Provide services and raise awareness on water, hygiene, and sanitation.

  • Private Sector: Innovate and invest in water technologies and infrastructure.

  • Researchers: Study water cycles, pollution, and sustainable management.

  • You!: Practice water conservation, support sanitation projects, and advocate for equitable access.

🌐 International Agreements Supporting SDG 6

  • UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water (GLAAS) – Tracks global water progress.

  • Human Right to Water and Sanitation (UN, 2010) – Recognizes access as a fundamental human right.

  • The Water Action Decade (2018–2028) – A global initiative to accelerate SDG 6 achievement.

  • Ramsar Convention (1971) – Focuses on wetland conservation.

🧩 How You Can Help

  • 💧 Use water wisely — fix leaks, take shorter showers, water plants responsibly.

  • 🚱 Avoid polluting water sources — properly dispose of chemicals and waste.

  • 🚽 Support or volunteer with local sanitation and hygiene initiatives.

  • 🗣️ Educate your community about water conservation and hygiene.

  • 🌿 Advocate for policies that protect water ecosystems.

  • 💸 Donate to organizations working on water access and sanitation.

  • 🏡 Promote sustainable water use practices at home and work.