How can an organisation pursue SDG6?
Access to water is essential to all business operations, but climate change, growing populations, and urbanisation pose significant supply risks to companies and the wider community. Companies are still not doing enough.
- Reduce clean water usage and wastewater discharges through changes to business processes and improved education. Prioritise water efficiency across operations by installing best practice technologies for water conservation.
- Educate employees about the importance of water efficiency, including tying performance bonuses or operations-based incentives to efficient practices.
- Install rainwater capture systems to provide an alternative and complementary water supply.
- Reduce the likelihood of groundwater contamination by treating and processing all waste.
- Reduce consumption of bottled water.
- Invest in water and sanitation projects or infrastructure in under-served regions.
- Prohibit using chemicals and materials that can be particularly detrimental to water quality if disposed of safely.
Overview
Billions of people still live without safely managed drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services critical for protecting human health. The world is not on track to achieving Goal 6. In 2020, almost a quarter of the global population did not have safe drinking water at home, and roughly half did not have adequate sanitation.
Freshwater ecosystems and the multitude of resources that they provide are changing dramatically. One-fifth of the world’s river basins are experiencing rapid increases or decreases in their surface water area. This unprecedented situation is made worse by pollution in large lakes and the persistent loss and degradation of wetlands and freshwater biodiversity.
Pursuing improved water use efficiency will also help reduce water stress in countries.
Freshwater ecosystems and the multitude of resources that they provide are changing dramatically. One-fifth of the world’s river basins are experiencing rapid increases or decreases in their surface water area. This unprecedented situation is made worse by pollution in large lakes and the persistent loss and degradation of wetlands and freshwater biodiversity.
Pursuing improved water use efficiency will also help reduce water stress in countries.
SDG6 aims to "Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all".
It has associated aims that include:
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Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
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Achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all.
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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.
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Substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater.
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Implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.
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Protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.
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Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.