Water and sanitation are pivotal elements of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily encapsulated in SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). This goal seeks to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030. This objective directly addresses the current global water crisis, where nearly 2.2 billion people live without access to safe water, and about 4.2 billion lack access to adequate sanitation.
By focusing on improving water quality, increasing water-use efficiency, implementing integrated water resources management at all levels, and protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems, SDG 6 addresses not only direct human needs but also the broader ecological health of the planet. Furthermore, efforts towards achieving SDG 6 indirectly promote several other SDGs.
For instance, water and sanitation are crucial to achieving SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), as clean water and proper sanitation facilities reduce the spread of water-borne diseases and significantly lower child and maternal mortality rates. Likewise, they are foundational to SDG 4 (Quality Education), given that the provision of water and sanitation facilities in schools significantly impacts the attendance and performance of students, particularly for girls.
SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) also intersects with water and sanitation, as sustainable and efficient water management is critical for agriculture, which remains the largest global water consumer. The necessity of water for food production and the potential impact of improved water management on crop yields and livestock health makes SDG 6 integral to achieving zero hunger.
SDG 6 contributes to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) as well. Access to clean water and sanitation can enhance economic productivity by reducing time spent gathering water, reducing healthcare costs due to water-related diseases, and even creating jobs in water and sanitation services sectors.
In terms of environmental impact, the sustainable management of water resources is essential for SDG 13 (Climate Action), as water is a key factor in managing climate change due to its role in agriculture and energy production.
World Toilet Day 2025: Making Every Flush Count for Sustainable Development
On World Toilet Day 2025, which falls on 19 November, SDG Resources aims to cast a spotlight on an issue that many often overlook – sanitation. As odd as it might sound to some, toilets are more than just a basic amenity; they're a symbol of a society's progress and commitment to ensuring the well-being of its inhabitants.
A Brief Introduction to World Toilet Day 2025
RELX Environmental Challenge 2023: five shortlisted projects to bring safe water and sanitation to communities around the world
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) can help with global water sustainability for World Water Day 2025.
As World Water Day 2025 approaches, it is important to think about how important water is and how the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can help solve the world's water problem. This day, which is celebrated every year on March 22, brings attention to how important water is and how it affects our health, the world, and our way of life.
Recent Advancements in Wastewater Management: Implications and Biological Solutions, 2023, pp 109-132
