Sustainable Development Goal 6
"Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all"
Linkage with other SDGs
Access to clean water and sanitation is fundamental for health, agriculture, economic development, and environmental sustainability. Without these resources, societies struggle to progress in nearly every sector of development.
The following direct and indirect interlinkages exist between SDG 6 and all other SDGs:
SDG 1 - No Poverty: Poverty limits access to clean water and sanitation, as low-income communities often lack infrastructure. Conversely, access to water and sanitation reduces healthcare costs and improves productivity, lifting households out of poverty. Example: In Kenya, clean water initiatives in rural areas have allowed families to save money otherwise spent on healthcare, improving economic resilience.
SDG 2 - Zero Hunger: Water is essential for agricultural production, directly impacting food security. Water scarcity reduces crop yields and livestock survival, worsening hunger. Sustainable irrigation systems ensure adequate food supplies. Example: In India, drip irrigation systems have increased agricultural productivity in arid regions, improving food security for millions.
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being: Lack of clean water and sanitation leads to diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid. Ensuring access improves public health outcomes, especially for vulnerable populations like children. Example: Community sanitation programs in Cambodia have drastically reduced waterborne illnesses among children, improving overall health.
SDG 4 - Quality Education: Poor sanitation in schools disproportionately affects girls, who may miss classes due to the lack of safe facilities. Access to clean water and toilets increases school attendance and retention rates. Example: Water and sanitation facilities in schools in Uganda have improved girls’ attendance rates significantly.
SDG 5 - Gender Equality: Women and girls are often responsible for fetching water in areas with poor infrastructure, which limits their time for education and economic activities. Access to clean water reduces this burden and empowers women. Example: In Ethiopia, community water projects have freed women’s time, enabling participation in education and income-generating activities.
SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy: Energy solutions are vital for water purification and sanitation systems, especially in off-grid communities. Conversely, clean water access supports energy generation in hydroelectric projects. Example: Solar-powered water pumps in India provide clean water in rural areas, reducing energy dependency while improving access.
SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth: Improved water access fosters industrial growth and agricultural productivity, creating jobs and improving economic stability. Sanitation services also drive employment in waste management sectors. Example: Water infrastructure projects in South Africa have created thousands of jobs while boosting rural economic activity.
SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities: Marginalised communities often lack access to clean water and sanitation. Addressing disparities ensures equitable access, reducing inequalities between urban and rural populations. Example: Water access programs targeting indigenous communities in Latin America have reduced health and economic disparities.
SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities: Urban water management is critical for sustainable cities, ensuring equitable access while preventing water-logging and pollution. Sanitation infrastructure strengthens urban resilience. Example: Rainwater harvesting in cities like Chennai, India, has improved water availability and reduced urban flooding risks.
SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production: Water conservation and sustainable usage practices reduce waste and protect resources for future generations. Efficient water use in agriculture and industry minimises environmental impact. Example: In Spain, water-efficient farming techniques have improved agricultural productivity while reducing resource consumption.
SDG 13 - Climate Action: Climate change exacerbates water scarcity through droughts and extreme weather events. Sustainable water management mitigates climate risks and strengthens resilience. Example: Water storage reservoirs in arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa help communities adapt to unpredictable rainfall patterns caused by climate change.
SDG 14 - Life Below Water: Improved wastewater treatment prevents marine pollution, protecting biodiversity and ensuring safe aquatic ecosystems. Example: Coastal sanitation programs in Indonesia have reduced plastic waste and pollution, improving marine biodiversity.
SDG 15 - Life on Land: Healthy freshwater ecosystems are essential for biodiversity, agriculture, and forestry. Deforestation and land degradation disrupt water cycles, worsening resource scarcity. Example: Reforestation projects in Brazil’s Amazon region have preserved watersheds critical for surrounding communities.
SDG 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Conflicts over water access often arise in areas of scarcity, exacerbating social tensions. Transparent governance ensures fair distribution and reduces disputes. Example: Water-sharing agreements between Central Asian countries have promoted regional stability and reduced conflict.
SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals: Achieving universal access to clean water and sanitation requires global cooperation and resource-sharing. Partnerships drive innovation and funding for water infrastructure. Example: The African Water Facility has mobilised international funding to expand water access across the continent.
Consquence of failing to reach targets
The consequences of not achieving clean water and sanitation ripple through other SDGs:
- Poverty reduction (SDG 1) slows as communities face health crises and reduced productivity.
- Food security (SDG 2) declines due to insufficient water for agricultural systems.
- Health outcomes (SDG 3) worsen, with millions affected by waterborne diseases.
- Education opportunities (SDG 4) are lost, especially for girls, due to inadequate sanitation facilities.
Clean water and sanitation are foundational for sustainable development, enabling progress in health, education, and economic growth while safeguarding environmental resources.
SDG 6: Targets, Indicators, Progress and Data
By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.
Between 2015 and 2022, the population using safely managed drinking water increased from 69% to 73%, the population using safely managed sanitation increased from 49% to 57% and the population using basic hygiene services increased from 67% to 75%. Achieving universal coverage of safely managed drinking water, safely managed sanitation, and basic hygiene services by 2030 will require respective increases of 6x, 5x, and 3x in the current global rates of progress.
By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.
6.2.1: Proportion of population using (a) safely managed sanitation services and (b) a hand-washing facility with soap and water.
See current progress for 6.1.
By 2030, 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.
6.3.1: Proportion of domestic and industrial wastewater flows safely treated.
6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality.
Among the 73 countries reporting on both total wastewater generation and total wastewater treatment in 2022, 76% of total wastewater flows received at least some treatment. Of the 42 countries that specified the level of treatment, 60% of total wastewater flows were safely treated (i.e. at least secondary treatment). In all world regions, many rivers, lakes and aquifers are still in good condition – as of 2023, 56% of water bodies assessed in 120 countries have good water quality. However, countries that implement the most extensive monitoring programmes show that water quality is degrading since 2017.
By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.
6.4.1: Change in water-use efficiency over time.
6.4.2: Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources.
Water use efficiency rose from $17.4/m3 in 2015 to $20.8/m3 in 2021, a 19% increase. At the global level, the water stress level reached an average level of 18.6% in 2021 but it hides large regional variations as some regions in the world show critical water stress levels which may compromise their economic and social development. Globally, water stress level has slightly increased by 3% from 2015 to 2021.
By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.
6.5.1: Degree of integrated water resources management.
6.5.2: Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation.
Global progress on implementing integrated water resources management remains slow – 49% in 2017, 54% in 2020, 57% in 2023, not on track to reach the 2030 target (91%). Only 43 out of 153 countries have operational arrangements in place for 90% or more of their shared transboundary waters (rivers, lakes and aquifers), and more than 20 countries have no operational arrangements in place for any of their transboundary waters. Since 2020 only around ten new arrangements for transboundary water cooperation have been adopted.
By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.
6.6.1: Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time.
The world has experienced a net increase in permanent surface water between 2005 and 2022, much of which resulted from climate change and reservoir filling. While this global net gain is positive, it is important to recognise that the data also include losses of permanent water in some regions linked to droughts and increased water demands.
By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies.
6.A.1: Amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance that is part of a government-coordinated spending plan.
ODA disbursements to the water sector increased between 2021 and 2022 by 10% to $8.5 billion, reversing a declining trend seen over the past five years.
Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.
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.
No progress reported on UN website.