Access to clean water is essential for human health and well-being. However, many parts of the world still lack access to safe drinking water. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 785 million people lack even a basic drinking-water service, including 144 million people who are dependent on surface water. So do all countries have access to clean water? The short answer is no, many countries still face major challenges in providing clean water to all citizens.
What is considered clean drinking water?
The WHO defines a safely managed drinking water service as one located on premises, available when needed and free from contamination. So clean drinking water must meet the following criteria:
- Be free from harmful microbes, chemical contaminants and radiological hazards
- Be available on premises for households
- Be available when needed (continually)
Drinking water is typically considered clean and safe if it meets national and/or international drinking water quality standards. The WHO provides guidelines for drinking-water quality to serve as a basis for regulation and standard setting worldwide. In the US, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets regulatory standards for drinking water quality and safety under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Global access to clean drinking water
According to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme report in 2020, only 71% of the global population (5.8 billion people) uses a safely managed drinking water service – that is, one that is accessible on premises, available when needed, and free from contamination. So globally, over 2 billion people lack access to clean drinking water.
Here is a breakdown of the global situation for clean drinking water access:
- 71% use a safely managed service (located on premises, available when needed, and free from contamination)
- 17% use a basic service (an improved drinking water source within 30 minutes round trip to collect water)
- 7% use a limited service (an improved source exceeding 30 minutes round trip to collect water)
- 5% still use an unimproved source with no protection from contamination
The situation is especially challenging in Sub-Saharan Africa where only 24% of the population has safely managed drinking water services. Oceania excluding Australia and New Zealand also has very poor coverage of safe drinking water at 40%.
Progress on clean water access
The world has made significant progress in expanding access to clean drinking water since 1990. 2.6 billion people have gained access to clean drinking water sources in that time. However, huge disparities remain between regions and between urban and rural areas.
The proportion of the global population using at least a basic drinking water service rose from 81% in 2000 to 90% in 2020. So major progress has been made, but not enough to achieve universal access to clean water.
Challenges in providing clean water
Why do so many people still lack access to safe drinking water? There are a number of challenges involved in providing clean water, especially in less developed regions.
Limited infrastructure
Delivering clean water requires extensive infrastructure like pipes, pumps, storage tanks and treatment facilities. Many developing countries lack the resources and expertise to build comprehensive water supply systems. Rural areas often completely lack the pipelines and pumps needed to deliver water straight to households.
Water scarcity
Over 2 billion people globally live in countries experiencing high water stress, where demand exceeds available supply. Sources of freshwater like lakes, rivers and groundwater aquifers are under immense strain worldwide due to pollution, overextraction and climate change. Water scarcity makes it extremely challenging to provide everyone with sufficient clean water.
Pollution and contamination
Groundwater and surface water supplies are under increasing threat from contamination. Pathogens, chemicals from agriculture and industry, human waste and other pollutants degrade water quality. Contaminated water has to go through expensive treatment processes to make it safe for drinking.
Difficulty accessing water
Even if clean water is available from a municipal supply, getting access to it can be challenging for marginalized groups. The urban poor often live in informal settlements without piped infrastructure. Rural villagers may need to walk many miles to collect water from wells or streams.
Lack of financing
Developing water infrastructure and water treatment facilities requires substantial investment that many countries cannot afford. The WHO estimates an annual investment of $114 billion is needed to provide safely managed drinking water worldwide.
How different regions fare for clean water access
The situation regarding access to clean drinking water varies widely between different regions and countries due to the factors discussed above. Here is a breakdown of how countries across different continents and development levels are faring:
Europe
Europe enjoys almost universal access to improved water sources, with only 1% of the population using unimproved sources. However, problems remain with intermittent supply, inadequate treatment and aging infrastructure in some areas.
North America
The US and Canada also have near universal provision of clean drinking water. But marginalized groups still lack adequate access, while pollution threats continue.
Australia and New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand have very high levels of access to clean drinking water through extensive water supply infrastructure serving urban and rural areas.
Asia
Drinking water coverage varies widely across Asia. In Western Asia over 90% of people use improved sources. But Eastern, South-Eastern and Central Asia still have limited services. Rural access is much lower than urban. Examples: in India 18% lack basic access, while in Cambodia 29% use unimproved sources.
Latin America and the Caribbean
Around 94% of Latin America and the Caribbean has basic drinking water services. However, just 28% uses a safely managed service. Pollution is a major issue threatening water supplies.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa has by far the lowest drinking water coverage globally. In rural areas less than 50% of people have basic services. Weak infrastructure, droughts and contamination pose big challenges.
Developed countries
Developed countries in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand enjoy almost universal access to clean drinking water through piped infrastructure. Shortages are rare and water quality is generally well regulated.
Developing countries
Developing countries face major gaps in clean water access, especially in rural areas. Limited infrastructure, water scarcity, pollution and lack of financing restrict drinking water services. Progress has been made but huge disparities remain.
Solutions to provide clean, safe drinking water
How can countries around the world provide their populations with clean, safe drinking water? Here are some key solutions.
Build and maintain water infrastructure
Functional water supply systems including pipes, pumps, reservoirs and treatment plants are essential to delivering safe water. Developing countries require external investment and expertise to expand infrastructure.
Protect water resources
Waterways and groundwater must be kept clean through pollution control, environmental regulations and protected conservation areas. Water-saving measures are also needed in water-scarce regions.
Use affordable decentralized systems
Centralized water grids are impractical in many rural areas. Decentralized, low-cost options like rainwater harvesting, wells and water kiosks can provide clean water at the local level.
Remove barriers to access
Legal, financial and social barriers prevent marginalized groups from getting clean water even when supplies exist. Subsidies, flexible payment schemes and anti-discrimination measures can help.
Enhance community participation
Involving local communities in planning decisions, construction/maintenance and monitoring of water systems helps ensure their sustainability and appropriateness.
Improve hygiene and sanitation
Clean water delivery must go hand-in-hand with hygiene education and improved sanitation to maximize health benefits and reduce contamination.
Increase financing
Adequate investment in water infrastructure and management is crucial. Official development assistance, government spending, innovative financing tools and private investment can bridge the funding gap.
Role of government policies and programs
Governments have a key role to play in expanding clean water access through supportive policies, legislation, programs and subsidies:
- Establishing national standards and regulations for drinking water safety.
- Building water infrastructure as a public good.
- Formulating policies to manage water resources sustainably.
- Creating financial mechanisms to fund water programs.
- Working with community organizations and NGOs to promote decentralized water solutions.
- Prioritizing provision of water and sanitation to marginalized groups.
- Facilitating knowledge transfer of best practices and technologies.
Many countries recognize access to clean water as a human right and have specific laws enshrining this right. For example, South Africa’s Water Services Act entitles every citizen to basic water supply and sanitation services.
International aid for clean water provision
Various international organizations provide aid funding and assistance to expand clean water access in developing countries that lack resources:
World Health Organization (WHO)
The WHO sets drinking water guidelines, coordinates monitoring programs, researches appropriate solutions for developing countries and helps governments create water safety plans.
UNICEF
UNICEF provides clean water supply programs focused on marginalized children. They promote community management of water resources and hygiene education.
World Bank
The World Bank offers both financing and technical expertise to governments to extend water supply and sanitation services, including credit lines, grants and analytical work.
WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program (JMP)
The JMP monitors global progress on drinking water and sanitation access based on data from national household surveys and censuses.
USAID
USAID is the lead U.S. government agency providing aid funding for developing water infrastructure, management and access in partner countries.
Non-profit organizations
Various NGOs like WaterAid, Water.org and Charity:Water run programs worldwide to fund wells, rainwater harvesting systems, water filters and piped connections providing clean water to millions.
Sustainable Development Goals for water access
A key component of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is achieving universal access to safe drinking water. The main target is:
- SDG 6 – By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
This target builds on the previous Millennium Development Goal to halve the proportion of people without access to clean water, which was met in 2010.
Under SDG 6, the emphasis is now on providing sustainable safe water services accessible on premises, not just improved water sources outside the home. Reaching marginalized groups and rural communities remains a priority.
Outlook for global clean water access
Global access to clean drinking water has increased significantly over recent decades. But 785 million people still lack even a basic level of service. The situation is most dire in Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia.
Fully achieving clean water availability worldwide poses an ongoing challenge. Expanding infrastructure requires immense investment needs, while growing water stress and pollution threaten the quality of dwindling supplies. However, the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals highlights the renewed global commitment to clean water access for all.
With sufficient financing, innovation, political will and community participation, universal coverage of safe water is possible over the next decade. But concerted action and targeted interventions are urgently needed in lagging areas if the world is to finally eliminate this fundamental barrier to health and development.
Conclusion
Clean drinking water is essential for life, yet billions still lack access to safe supplies. Major progress has been made in expanding coverage, but huge disparities remain between regions and between rural and urban communities. Providing sustainable water services for all will require substantial infrastructure investment, resource protection, decentralized systems, pro-poor policies and ongoing operation and maintenance. With global collaboration and sharing of best practices, achieving universal access to clean water can support health, economic growth and human dignity worldwide.