Around the world, access to clean water and sanitation is a daily struggle for
millions. Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6, or SDG 6, is the international
community’s target to achieve universal access to safe water and sanitation by
2030. While there has been progress in some areas, pollution, climate change, and a
lack of infrastructure remain major barriers. But solutions are available, and with
the right policies, investments, and public awareness, we can move closer to a
world where no one has to worry about accessing clean water.
Water Pollution: A Growing Problem
One of the biggest reasons that many people do not have access to clean water is
because of pollution. Many factories, farms, and cities dump waste into rivers and
lakes. Pollution from industrial chemicals, agricultural pesticides, and untreated
sewage can make water unsafe to drink. The World Health Organization (WHO) says
that about two billion people use water polluted with feces. Cholera and dysentery,
two serious diseases, result (WHO, 2022).
Polluted water threatens our health, but it also threatens our food supply. Farmers
who use polluted water to irrigate crops put harmful chemicals into the food we
eat. This can cause health problems such as developmental problems in children, and
even cancer. If we don’t take action to reduce pollution, the problem will get
worse and affect future generations.
Climate Change and Water Shortages
Another issue is climate change, which is causing water shortages. Many places
around the world are experiencing more droughts, less rainfall, and extreme weather
events, such as hurricanes and floods. These changes disrupt water supply and make
it harder to get clean drinking water. The United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) says that by 2025 almost half of the world’s people will live in areas where
water is scarce (UNEP, 2021).
In some areas, people walk for miles every day to get water that is often not clean
or safe to drink. This impacts on health and work/school attendance. Women and
children are particularly affected because they are the ones who usually collect
water for families. If we don’t take action now, water shortages could lead to
conflicts between communities and countries over access to clean water.
Lack of Infrastructure and Investment
Even where access to clean water is good, many people do not have the means to get
it. In some rural areas, pipes bringing water to homes are absent, and in many
slums in cities, sanitation systems are in a state of near collapse. Without sewage
treatment facilities, waste often flows into rivers and lakes, and the cycle of
contamination continues.
Building and maintaining water infrastructure takes a lot of money, but governments
around the world are not allocating enough resources to this sector. The World Bank
estimates that about $114 billion in annual investment is needed to ensure that
everyone has access to clean water and adequate sanitation services (World Bank,
2023). Many developing countries have very limited resources for these types of
investments. Corruption and poor planning impede progress and millions remain
without safe water.
Problem-Solution
Stronger Laws and Better Water Management
Government policies are also a key way to boost water and sanitation. Governments
can enforce laws to stop industries from polluting water sources. They should also
set up better systems for treating wastewater before it is released into the
environment. In Singapore, the government has set up the Four National Taps system,
which includes recycling water, desalinating water, and collecting rainwater to
provide a stable water supply (PUB Singapore, 2023).
Other countries can take a cue from Singapore’s example and incorporate similar
practices. Governments can encourage farmers to use fewer harmful pesticides and
adopt organic farming methods. These measures are necessary to keep water sources
clean.
Investing in Infrastructure and New Technology
Better infrastructure is also needed to ensure that everyone has access to clean
water and adequate sanitation. Governments and private companies must work together
to build more water treatment plants, lay well-designed pipelines, and improve
sanitation systems in rural and urban areas. New technologies like desalination –
removing salt from seawater – and solar-powered water purification systems are also
vital in communities where water is in short supply.
In the Middle East, for example, Saudi Arabia has made huge investments in
desalination technology to meet clean drinking water needs in arid regions. The
2023 Desalination Journal says these efforts are massive. In Africa and South Asia,
small community water treatment plants have been established to provide clean water
to villages. Expanding them will help millions who face the challenge of safe
drinking water.
Educating Communities and Encouraging Public Participation
Governments and organizations should not focus only on infrastructure development
but should also work to educate people about the importance of water conservation
and hygiene. Many water-related diseases can be avoided by simple measures such as
washing the hands with soap and using clean toilets. Public awareness campaigns are
critical to help people understand the importance of hygiene and how to protect
themselves from diseases.
Education and public participation have also been key to the success of India’s
Swachh Bharat Mission, a nationwide campaign that has reduced open defecation
through the construction of toilets in rural areas and education about the
importance of sanitation (UNICEF India, 2023). Expanding this program around the
world promotes good hygiene and reduces disease spread.
Conclusion
Clean water and sanitation is a basic human right, yet millions of people continue
to struggle to get clean water and proper sanitation. Pollution, climate change
impacts, and inadequate infrastructure