SDG 6

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

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Logo of Sustainable Development Goal 6

Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6 or Global Goal 6) is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015. The official wording of SDG 6 is "Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all." The goal has eight targets to be achieved by 2030, and progress is measured by 11 indicators.

Background

Access to clean water and sanitation is a fundamental human right and is essential for the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Despite significant progress, billions of people still lack access to these basic services. SDG 6 aims to address these challenges by ensuring that everyone has access to safe and affordable drinking water, adequate sanitation, and hygiene.

Targets and Indicators

SDG 6 is divided into eight targets, each with specific indicators to measure progress:

Target 6.1: Safe and Affordable Drinking Water

• Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.

Target 6.2: Sanitation and Hygiene

• Indicator 6.2.1: Proportion of population using safely managed sanitation services, including a hand-washing facility with soap and water.

Target 6.3: Water Quality and Wastewater

• Indicator 6.3.1: Proportion of wastewater safely treated.
• Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality.

Target 6.4: Water Use Efficiency

• Indicator 6.4.1: Change in water-use efficiency over time.
• Indicator 6.4.2: Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources.

Target 6.5: Integrated Water Resources Management

• Indicator 6.5.1: Degree of integrated water resources management implementation.
• Indicator 6.5.2: Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation.

Target 6.6: Protect and Restore Water-Related Ecosystems

• Indicator 6.6.1: Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time.

Target 6.a: International Cooperation and Capacity-Building

• Indicator 6.a.1: Amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance that is part of a government-coordinated spending plan.

Target 6.b: Community Participation

• Indicator 6.b.1: Proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management.

Challenges and Opportunities

Achieving SDG 6 requires addressing several challenges, including:

• Infrastructure: Many regions lack the necessary infrastructure to provide clean water and sanitation services.
• Funding: Adequate funding is essential to build and maintain water and sanitation systems.
• Climate Change: Climate change impacts water availability and quality, necessitating adaptive strategies.
• Governance: Effective governance and policy frameworks are crucial for sustainable water management.

Opportunities include:

• Innovation: Technological advancements can improve water purification and distribution.
• Partnerships: Collaboration between governments, NGOs, and the private sector can enhance resource mobilization.
• Education: Raising awareness about water conservation and hygiene practices can drive behavioral change.

Also see

• Sustainable Development Goals
• Water Scarcity
• Sanitation
• Water Pollution
• Climate Change

References

• United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• World Health Organization. (2020). Progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene.