GOAL : Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
According to UN estimates: One in three people live without sanitation, two out of five people do not have a basic hand-washing facility with soap and water, and more than 673 million people still practice open defecation.
Access to water is a human right that is essential to health, poverty reduction, food security and ecosystems. Nevertheless, the pandemic has brought to light the crucial importance of sanitation, hygiene and adequate access to clean water for preventing and containing disease.
If immediate action is not taken, through better infrastructure and management, millions of people will continue to die from water-related diseases such as malaria and diarrhoea. Moreover, biodiversity and ecosystem resilience will be weakened, as well as the possibility of ensuring a more sustainable future for all.
The eight targets to ensure clean water and sanitation for all by 2030, are as follows :
Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
Achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation
Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
Substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity
Implement integrated water resources management at all levels
Protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.
Expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes
Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.