Providing water and sanitation for everyone on the planet is one of the Sustainable development goals (SDGs), agreed by all 193 UN member states in 2015.
The report revealed that although more than two billion people have had access to safe drinking water over the past two decades, a quarter of the world’s population is still being left behind.
Basic human rights
Meanwhile, climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of droughts and floods, affecting water security and disrupting supplies.
Rapid urbanization also makes it difficult for cities to supply water to the millions of people living in informal communities and slums.
“Greater access to safe drinking water has saved many lives, most of them children. But climate change is ingrained in those achievements,” speak Dr. Maria Neira, Director of WHOMinistry of Environment, Climate Change and Health.
“We must accelerate our efforts to ensure everyone has reliable access to safe drinking water – a human right, not a luxury.”
An important investment
The report examines the links between water, health and development.
It includes actionable recommendations for governments and partners to increase funding for safer systems and strengthen capacity to plan, coordinate and regulate service delivery.
Examples showing how countries are contributing to achieving the SDG goal of achieving safe managed drinking water for all by 2030 are also included.
“Investing in water and sanitation is critical to health, economic growth and the environment. Saroj Kumar Jha, World Bank Group’s Director of Global Water Practices.
Keeping kids safe
The partners have called on governments and the private sector to significantly increase their political commitment to drinking water and quadruple investment.
Aidan Cronin, UNICEF Interim Director for Water, Sanitation and Sanitation (WASH) and Climate, Environment, Energy and Disaster Risk Reduction (CEED).
“Accessible and reliable safe drinking water is fundamental to ensuring children are healthy, educated and thrived.”
Action for governments
The report makes comprehensive recommendations on sustainability improvements focusing on the areas of governance, finance, capacity development, data and information, and innovation.
These include strengthening existing institutions, for example by establishing an effective regulatory environment, supported by legislation and service quality standards, and ensuring enforcement.
Increased funding from all sources is needed, with water service providers improving efficiency and effectiveness, and governments providing a stable and transparent administrative, regulatory and policy environment .
Innovation and experimentation should also be encouraged through supportive government policy and regulation.
