UN Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Clean water and sanitation are essential for health, dignity and opportunity. Yet millions of people around the world still lack safe drinking water, decent toilets and reliable hygiene facilities. United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) aims to change this by ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.
What does Goal 6 cover?
SDG 6 is about more than providing drinking water. It also covers sanitation and hygiene, water quality, the protection of rivers and wetlands, and the careful management of water resources. Its targets include ending open defecation, reducing pollution, improving water-use efficiency and supporting communities in managing local water and sanitation services.
The goal recognises that these issues are closely connected. Unsafe water and inadequate sanitation can spread disease, while polluted rivers and depleted groundwater threaten ecosystems, food production and livelihoods. Reliable water services are also vital for schools, healthcare facilities and businesses.
Why progress matters
When people cannot access safe water close to home, they may have to spend hours collecting it. This can limit time for education, work and family life, with a disproportionate burden often falling on women and girls. A lack of safe toilets and handwashing facilities can also affect health, privacy and personal safety.
Climate change adds to these pressures. Droughts can reduce water supplies, while floods can damage sanitation systems and contaminate sources. Growing cities, pollution and competing demands from agriculture and industry make sustainable water management increasingly important.
How Goal 6 can be achieved
Progress requires investment in dependable water and sanitation systems, as well as the people and institutions needed to maintain them. This includes protecting water sources, treating wastewater, reducing leaks and pollution, and making services affordable and accessible to all.
Governments, communities, businesses and international organisations all have a role. Local people should be involved in decisions about water services, while effective laws and monitoring can help prevent pollution and ensure that resources are shared fairly. Cooperation across regions and countries is also important because rivers and groundwater do not always follow political boundaries.
What individuals and communities can do
Individuals can help by using water thoughtfully, avoiding the disposal of harmful substances down drains and supporting efforts to protect local rivers and wetlands. Communities can identify gaps in access, promote hygiene education and take part in local water-management initiatives. These actions cannot replace strong public services and investment, but they can contribute to wider progress.
A shared responsibility
Clean water and safe sanitation are basic needs and fundamental to sustainable development. Achieving Goal 6 means ensuring that access does not depend on a person’s income, location or circumstances, while protecting water systems for future generations. Meeting the 2030 target will require faster action, long-term planning and cooperation at every level.
8 Essential Tips for Supporting UN Goal 6: Ensuring Clean Water and Sanitation
- Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.
- Fix dripping taps and leaking pipes.
- Take shorter showers to save water.
- Never flush wipes, medicines or litter down the loo.
- Use water-efficient appliances when possible.
- Keep oil, paint and chemicals out of drains.
- Choose refillable bottles instead of single-use plastic.
- Support projects that provide safe water and sanitation for all.
Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.
Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth is a simple way to avoid wasting clean water. Leaving it running can use several litres in just a few minutes, so wet your brush, turn off the tap while you brush, then switch it on again briefly to rinse. Small habits like this help conserve water and support UN Sustainable Development Goal 6: clean water and sanitation for all.
Fix dripping taps and leaking pipes.
Fixing dripping taps and leaking pipes is a simple way to reduce water waste at home. Even a small leak can waste a surprising amount of clean water over time, placing unnecessary pressure on local supplies. Check taps, toilets and visible pipes regularly, and repair leaks promptly or ask a qualified plumber for help. Every drop saved supports the responsible use of water, an important part of UN Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.
Take shorter showers to save water.
Taking shorter showers is a simple way to help conserve water. Even cutting a few minutes from your shower can save many litres, especially if you use a water-efficient showerhead. Small changes in daily habits, when adopted by lots of people, can help reduce pressure on local water supplies and support UN Sustainable Development Goal 6: clean water and sanitation for all.
Never flush wipes, medicines or litter down the loo.
Never flush wipes, medicines or litter down the loo. Even wipes labelled “flushable” can block pipes and contribute to sewer overflows, while medicines and rubbish may pollute rivers and harm wildlife. Put wipes and litter in a bin, and ask a pharmacist how to dispose of unwanted medicines safely.
Use water-efficient appliances when possible.
Choose water-efficient appliances whenever possible, such as washing machines and dishwashers with high water-efficiency ratings. They use less water to get the job done, helping to conserve local supplies and reduce the energy needed to heat and treat water. Wait until you have a full load before running them, and check product labels to compare their water use.
Keep oil, paint and chemicals out of drains.
Keep oil, paint and chemicals out of drains: these substances can pollute rivers and groundwater, harm wildlife and disrupt wastewater treatment. Never pour them down a sink, toilet or street drain. Instead, store them safely and take them to a local household waste or hazardous-waste collection point, following your council’s guidance.
Choose refillable bottles instead of single-use plastic.
Choosing a refillable bottle instead of single-use plastic is a simple way to support UN Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. Reusing a bottle can help reduce plastic waste that may pollute rivers, lakes and oceans, while refilling it with safe tap water can cut down on demand for bottled water. Remember to wash your bottle regularly and check that your local water supply is safe to drink.
Support projects that provide safe water and sanitation for all.
Support projects that help make safe water and sanitation available to everyone. Whether through donations, volunteering or raising awareness, your contribution can help communities build and maintain clean water supplies, toilets and handwashing facilities. Choose initiatives that work with local people and offer lasting solutions, so that access to these essential services continues well into the future.