Why setting this goal?
Water scarcity affects more than 40% of the world’s population. This is an alarming figure that is expected to increase as global temperatures rise due to climate change.
This is despite the fact that 2.1 billion people have had access to improved water sanitation. Since 1990, the decrease in the supply of drinking water has been a major problem that affects all continents.
Therefore, it is useful to define this objective of SDG 6.
In 2011, 41 countries experienced water stress – 10 of which are on the verge of depleting their renewable freshwater supplies and now have to rely on alternative sources.
In 22 countries, mainly in North Africa, West, Central and South Asia, the level of water stress is above 70%. This indicates a high probability of future shortages. Worsening dryness and desertification are already exacerbating these trends.
By 2050, it is projected that at least one in four people will be affected by recurring water shortages.
Water scarcity, flooding and lack of proper wastewater management also hamper social and economic development. In addition, it is essential to increase water efficiency and improve water management. This would help to balance the competing and growing water demands of various sectors and users.
What is this sustainable development goal?
Following the above-mentioned observations, SDG 6 on sanitation and drinking water has been set for 3 main themes :
- drinking water
- sanitation
- wastewater treatment.
Drinking water
Clean water that is accessible to all is an essential part of the world we want to live in. Indeed, there is enough fresh water on the planet to achieve this.
However, due to poor economic conditions or infrastructure, millions of people, including children, die each year from diseases associated with cancer:
- Water supply
- sanitation
- improper hygiene
In addition, the safety and accessibility of drinking water are major concerns around the world.
Drinking water contaminated with these components can lead to health risks:
- infectious agents
- toxic chemicals
- radiation threats
Improved access to safe drinking water can translate into tangible improvements in health.
Wastewater treatment
Wastewater treatment is the process of converting wastewater:
– water that is no longer needed or usable
– bilge water that may be discharged into the environment.
These waters are formed by certain activities such as:
- bath
- washing
- the use of toilets
- Rainwater runoff
In addition, wastewater is full of contaminants, including bacteria, chemicals, and other toxins. Its treatment aims to reduce contaminants to acceptable levels in order to make the water safe for discharge into the environment.
Sanitation
One in three people live without proper sanitation. This results in unnecessary illness and death.
And while huge progress has been made in access to safe drinking water, the lack of sanitation is undermining this progress.
Indeed, if we provide affordable equipment and hygiene education, we can end this senseless suffering and loss of life.
But what exactly is sanitation?
Sanitation refers to the provision of facilities and services for the safe management of human excreta from toilets. This includes :
- containment
- storage
- on-site treatment or transport
- safe use or disposal.
More generally, sanitation also includes the safe management of solid waste and animal waste.
Inadequate sanitation is therefore a major cause of infectious diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery throughout the world.
It also contributes to stunted growth and impaired cognitive function. In addition, it impacts well-being through school attendance, anxiety and safety, with lifelong consequences, especially for women and girls.
Improved sanitation in households, health facilities, and schools underpins progress on a wide range of economic development and health issues:
- universal health coverage
- the fight against antimicrobial resistance
What are the goals and indicators defined to meet the sanitation and drinking water goal?
As with the other Sustainable Development Goals, targets and indicators have been defined to monitor progress towards the goals.
| Targets | Indicators | |
| 6.1 | By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. | Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services |
| 6.2 | By 2030, ensure access to proper and equitable cleanliness and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying particular attention to the needs of women and girls and people in vulnerable situations. | Proportion of the population using safely managed sanitation services, including a handwashing facility with soap and water |
| 6.3 | By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating discharges and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and significantly increasing recycling and safe reuse globally. | Proportion of wastewater treated safely Proportion of water bodies with good ambient water quality |
| 6.4 | By 2030, significantly increase the efficiency of water use in all sectors and ensure sustainable freshwater abstraction and supply to address water scarcity and significantly reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity. | Change in water use efficiency over time Level of water stress: withdrawal of fresh water as a proportion of available freshwater resources |
| 6.5 | By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through appropriate transboundary cooperation. | Degree of implementation of integrated water resources management (0-100) Proportion of the transboundary basin area with an operational water cooperation arrangement |
| 6.6 | By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes. | Changes in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time |
| 6.A | By 2030, increase international cooperation and capacity-building support for developing countries in water and sanitation related activities and programmes, including technologies for collection, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse | Amount of official development assistance related to water and sanitation that is part of a government-coordinated spending plan |
| 6.B | Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation | management Proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for the participation of local communities in water and sanitation management |
How can this goal be achieved?
Improving sanitation and access to safe drinking water requires greater investment in the management of freshwater ecosystems and sanitation facilities.
Action is needed at the local level in several developing countries through international cooperation. These countries include those in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, East Asia, Central Asia and Southeast Asia.
In addition, it is wise to install at all levels:
- adequate infrastructures
- sanitary facilities
- water treatment and to encourage hygiene
Finally, the protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems such as forests, mountains, wetlands and rivers are essential to mitigate water scarcity.
More specifically, there are different methods for treating wastewater and achieving the set objectives.
Four common wastewater treatment methods are physical water treatment, chemical treatment, biological water treatment, and sludge treatment.
Physical Water Treatment
It is a physical method used for cleaning up wastewater. Processes such as screening, sedimentation and skimming are used to remove solids. Moreover, no chemicals are involved in this process.
One of the main physical wastewater treatment techniques includes sedimentation, which is a process of suspending insoluble/heavy particles contained in wastewater. Once the insoluble material has settled to the bottom, the pure water can be separated.
Another effective physical water treatment technique includes aeration. This process involves circulating air through the water to provide oxygen.
The third method, filtration, is used to filter out all contaminants. Special filters can be used to pass wastewater and separate contaminants and insoluble particles. The sand filter is the most commonly used filter. Grease on the surface of some wastewater can also be easily removed by this method.
Biological water treatment
It uses a variety of biological processes to break down organic matter in wastewater, such as:
- the soap
- human waste
- oils
- foods.
Microorganisms metabolize organic matter in wastewater during biological treatment. It can be divided into three categories:
- Aerobic processes: bacteria decompose organic matter and convert it into carbon dioxide that can be used by plants. Oxygen is used in the process.
- Anaerobic processes: fermentation is used to ferment waste at a specific temperature. Oxygen is not used in the anaerobic process.
- Composting: A type of aerobic process where wastewater is treated by mixing it with sawdust or other carbon sources.
Secondary treatment removes most of the solids from the wastewater, but some dissolved nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus may remain.
Chemical Water Treatment
As the name suggests, this treatment involves the use of chemicals in the water. Chlorine, an oxidizing chemical, is usually used to kill bacteria that break down water by adding contaminants.
Another oxidizing agent used to purify wastewater is ozone. Neutralization is a technique that involves adding an acid or base to bring the water to its natural pH of 7, which prevents bacteria from reproducing in the water and thus makes it pure.
Mud treatment
It is a process of solid-liquid separation that requires the lowest possible residual moisture in the solid phase and the lowest possible residual solid particles in the separated liquid phase.
Take, for example, the dewatering of sludge from industrial wastewater or sewage treatment plants. In fact, the residual moisture of the dewatered solids determines the disposal costs and the quality of the center determines the pollutant load returned to the treatment facility. You should minimize both.
A solid-liquid separation device such as a centrifuge is used to remove solids from wastewater.
Wastewater has a lot of impact on nature and it is important to treat it effectively. By treating wastewater, you’re not only saving the creatures that feed on it, but you’re also protecting the planet as a whole.
What regulations are in place to achieve this goal?
The regulations that make it possible to achieve the objective are referenced in the Right to Water and Sanitation.
SGDs must be consistent with the Rio Declaration and compatible with international law. As a matter of fact, it is required to respect the limits set (quantity of pollutant) by the regulation and to meet the final date of 2030 to achieve these objectives.
What is the role of water treatment actors in achieving this SDG 6?
The players are global partnerships including:
- worldwide commitments
- multi-stakeholder partnerships
- the overall commitment of all stakeholders to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
In addition, the actors are international institutions and governments, local authorities, NGOs and civil society, the scientific community and the private sector.
There are a total of 335 actors involved in ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Indeed, these actors deal with SDG 6 but also with some other items. Climate KIC (Partner), The Great Bubble Barrier (the private sector) is helping governments and businesses stop plastic pollution in rivers and canals around the world.
In addition, the Surfrider Foundation Australia is a registered non-profit organization that wants to reduce the amount of plastic thrown into the waters. It is focused on protecting Australia’s waves and beaches through :
- conservation
- activism
- research
- education (C.A.R.E)
