Context & Scope
- 2 billion people globally lack safe drinking water.
- Over 800,000 deaths annually are linked to diseases from unsafe water.
- Access to clean water is essential for public health, dignity, and development.
Relevance : GS 2(Health ,Social Issues)
Key Definitions
- Safe Drinking Water (SDG 6.1 definition, post-2017):
Water must be contamination-free, on-premises, and available when needed. - Improved Water Source (earlier indicator):
Includes protected pipes, springs, boreholes — but not necessarily safe at the point of use.
Current Global Scenario
- 6 billion people have access to safe water.
- 2 billion lack it — but:
- Only 156 million rely on surface water (rivers/lakes).
- The majority use improved sources that are inconveniently located or intermittently available.
Hidden Challenges
- Hours spent collecting water, especially by women and children, affects education and productivity.
- Even improved sources can become contaminated during storage or transit.
- 95% of the world uses improved sources — but not all are safely managed under SDG standards.
Health Implications
- Unsafe water spreads diarrhea, cholera, hepatitis, polio, and causes malnutrition.
- In low-income countries, unsafe water contributes to over 5% of deaths.
- Child mortality and undernutrition are closely linked to water insecurity.
Development Challenges
- Scaling access to basic improved sources is easier than ensuring safely managed household water.
- Requires investments in infrastructure, maintenance, and contamination control.
- Real progress under SDG 6.1 (Clean Water and Sanitation) demands universal access to safe water at home.
Conclusion
- Universal access to safe drinking water (SDG 6) is essential for:
- Health outcomes
- Social equity
- Economic development
- Achieving broader Sustainable Development Goals
