GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Access to drinking water and sanitation is a human right and, together with water as a resource, a crucial factor for all aspects of social, economic, and environmental development. Goal 6 includes, in addition to access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, further sub-goals on the protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems. Water quality is to be improved and pollution of water by hazardous chemicals reduced. Transboundary cooperation is to be promoted for the integrated management of water resources at all levels.
What is to be achieved?
- Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030.
- By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end outdoor defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and people in vulnerable situations.
- By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, ending the discharge, and minimising the release of hazardous chemicals and substances, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and significantly increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.
- By 2030, substantially increase water use efficiency in all sectors and ensure sustainable abstraction and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and significantly reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.
- By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation where appropriate.
- By 2020, protect and restore water-connected ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers, and lakes.
How is the target to be achieved?
- By 2030, scale up international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries for water and sanitation activities and programmes, including water collection and storage, desalination, efficient water use, wastewater treatment, recycling, and re-use technologies.
- Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water management and sanitation.
