Ensure access to water and sanitation for all.
Why is this important?
SDG 6 seeks to ensure safe drinking water and sanitation for all, focusing on the sustainable management of water resources, wastewater and ecosystems, and acknowledging the importance of an enabling environment. In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, countries have committed to engage in systematic follow-up and review of progress towards the Goals and targets, using a set of global indicators.
Water resource management and access to safe water and sanitation are critical for unlocking economic growth and productivity, as well as providing tremendous leverage for existing health and education investments.Forests, soils, and wetlands, for example, contribute to water availability and quality management, enhancing watershed resilience, and complementing investments in physical infrastructure and institutional and regulatory structures for water access, usage, and disaster preparedness. Water scarcity threatens food security and rural farmer earnings, whereas better water management makes national economies, agricultural, and food sectors more resilient to rainfall unpredictability and capable of meeting the requirements of a growing population. Water purification and water quality standards can be ensured by protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems and biodiversity.
TARGETS:
6.1 By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
6.2 By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.
6.3 By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.
6.4 By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.
6.5 By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.
6.6 By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.
6.A By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies.
6.B Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.