A Rundown of SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Faiza Wamea Haque | Dhaka, Bangladesh

SDG 6 aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation. For improving the quality of water, pollution and chemicals have to be reduced by 2030. Moreover, untreated wastewater must be recycled and repurposed, due to the low freshwater supply across the world, another aspect which is included in this goal.

Water is a basic element of our life and environment. Without this valuable element, we cannot think of a single moment in our daily life. But it is a matter of sorrow that water is polluted in many ways and we are facing a water crisis all over the world. After years of pollution, releasing toxins into our water, and using it extensively for manufacturing, water scarcity has turned into a global problem.

Around 2.2 billion people worldwide do not have access to safe drinking water and 4.2 billion do not have access to safely managed sanitation services.

Furthermore, in developing countries, every year so many children die because of lacking safe water and sanitation. The WHO and UNICEF state that rural areas suffer the most water shortages, both in terms of quality and quantity. A large number of people are affected by scarce water resources and clean water. That's why it is very important to achieve SDG goal 6.

For achieving SDG 6, there are many projects and companies which are working to advance this goal. Among all of them, I want to highlight the company named IBERDROLA, which was labeled as one of the utility companies with the best water productivity according to the Global 100 classification from a selection of the main utilities. The company is a part of the United Nations' CEO Water Mandate to encourage sustainable practices in the use of water.

IBERDROLA has taken some targets to reach the goal of access to clean water and sanitation by 2030. The specific targets are:

1. Achieve universal and equitable access to safe drinking water at an affordable price for all.

2. Achieve equitable access to adequate sanitation and hygiene services for all.

3. Improve water quality by reducing pollution and increasing safe recycling and reuse worldwide.

4. Increase the efficient use of water resources in all sectors and ensure the sustainability of freshwater extraction and supply.

5. Expand international cooperation and support to developing countries.

In conclusion, SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation is one of the most important global goals. All countries, companies and civil society members should take the necessary steps to achieve this goal.