Global Access to Clean Drinking Water

Study Notes

Only 3% of the world's water supply is drinkable, making access to clean drinking water a huge humanitarian problem.
785 million people globally lack access to basic drinking water, according to WHO and UNICEF estimates.
Developing nations are most affected by the crisis, with crumbling infrastructure, pollution, and climate change exacerbating the problem.
Water scarcity is often combined with conflict and political instability, making it difficult to deliver clean water to affected populations.

Inadequate access to clean water puts people at risk of cholera and dysentery, with long-term impacts on health.
Contaminated water sources, such as wells, rivers, or rainwater, are often used in rural areas and informal settlements, leading to unsanitary conditions.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) aims to ensure availability of safe and affordable drinking water to all by 2030.
International organizations, governments, and NGOs are working together to address the crisis, using advanced technologies, water filters, infrastructure, and local programs.

Governments have a critical responsibility to help solve their water crises through effective water management, sanitation, and infrastructure investment policies.
Communities must demand that water be treated as a human right and pressure authorities to ensure access to clean drinking water.
National policies should support sustainable water management practices and prioritize investments in water infrastructure.

The lack of clean drinking water has significant consequences for education, economic development, and social well-being.
Children, especially girls, are often forced to spend hours fetching water, reducing their ability to attend school or receive an education.