Sustainable Development Goal 6
Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
Sustainable Development Goal 6 is to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”, according to the United Nations.
The visualizations and data below present the global perspective on where the world stands today and how it has changed over time. More details can be found in the Our World in Data topic pages on Clean Water and Sanitation.
The UN has defined 8 targets and 11 indicators for SDG 6. Targets specify the goals and indicators represent the metrics by which the world aims to track whether these targets are achieved. Below we quote the original text of all targets and show the data on the agreed indicators.
Target 6.1Safe and affordable drinking water
SDG Indicator 6.1.1Safe drinking water
Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 6.1.1 is the “proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services” in the UN SDG framework.
A safely managed drinking water service is defined as an improved source located on premises, available when needed and free from faecal (E.coli or thermotolerant coliforms) and priority chemical contamination (from arsenic and fluoride).
The interactive visualizations show data for this indicator. The first chart shows the proportion of the population of countries who use safely managed drinking water, and the second chart shows how these proportions compare across rural and urban populations of a given country.
Target: By 2030 “achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all”.
More research: Further data and research on this topic can be found at the Our World in Data topic page on Water Access, Resources & Sanitation.
Target 6.2End open defecation and provide access to sanitation and hygiene
SDG Indicator 6.2.1Safe sanitation and hygiene
Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 6.2.1 is the “proportion of population using (a) safely managed sanitation services and (b) a hand-washing facility with soap and water” in the UN SDG framework.
In this context, a managed sanitation facility one that is not shared with other households, and where excreta is safely disposed of in situ or treated off-site. A basic handwashing facility is defined by a device to contain, transport or regulate the flow of water to facilitate handwashing with soap and water in the home.
Data for this indicator is shown in the interactive visualizations. The first chart shows the proportion of country populations using safely managed sanitation services and the second chart shows the proportion with basic handwashing facilities available in their home.
Target: 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.”
More research: Further data and research on this topic can be found at the Our World in Data topic page on Water Access, Resources & Sanitation.
Target 6.3Improve water quality, wastewater treatment and safe reuse
SDG Indicator 6.3.1Wastewater safety
Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 6.3.1 is the “proportion of domestic and industrial wastewater flows safely treated” in the UN SDG framework.
This indicator is measured as the ratio of the volume of wastewater treated before being discharged into the environment to the volume of wastewater being generated through particular activities.
Domestic wastewater refers to that generated by residential settlements, which is primarily generated through human metabolism and by household activities.
Industrial wastewater refers to that which is discharged after being used in, or produced by, industrial production processes, and is of no further immediate value to these processes.
Wastewater treatment involves physical, chemical or biological processes that remove solids, microorganisms and pollutants from water, to render it fit to meet environmental standards or quality norms for recycling or reuse.
The interactive visualizations show data for this indicator. The first chart shows the proportion of domestic wastewater that is safely treated and the second chart shows the proportion of industrial wastewater that is treated.
Target: “Halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally” by 2030.1
More research: Further data and research on this topic can be found at the Our World in Data topic page on Water Access, Resources & Sanitation.
SDG Indicator 6.3.2Ambient water quality
Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 6.3.2 is the “proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality” in the UN SDG framework.
Good ambient water quality is defined as having at least 80 percent compliance to country-specific targets for core physical and chemical parameters that reflect nature water quality related to factors such as climate and geology, as well as factors that may impact water quality.
This indicator measures the share of river, lake, and groundwater bodies in a country that have good ambient water quality, out of those that are deemed representative and significant for water quality monitoring.
Data for this indicator is shown in the interactive visualization.
Target: By 2030 “improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.”1
More research: Further data and research on this topic can be found at the Our World in Data topic page on Water Access, Resources & Sanitation.
Target 6.4Increase water use efficiency and ensure freshwater supplies
SDG Indicator 6.4.1Water use efficiency
Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 6.4.1 is the “change in water-use efficiency over time” in the UN SDG framework.
Water use efficiency is measured as the ratio of the value added by a particular sector, to the volume of the water used.
Data for this indicator is shown in the interactive visualization, using the measure of water productivity. This is a measure of how water is used to generate economic value.
Target: By 2030 “substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors.”2
More research: Further data and research on this topic can be found at the Our World in Data topic page on Water Access, Resources & Sanitation.
SDG Indicator 6.4.2Levels of freshwater stress
Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 6.4.2 is the “level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources” in the UN SDG framework.
Water stress is the ratio between total freshwater withdrawn by all major sectors of the economy and total renewable freshwater resources, taking into account environmental flow requirements. This includes water withdrawn for use in agriculture, industries and services (including domestic uses).
Water stress is defined by the following categories: <25% is no stress; 25-50% is low; 50-75% medium; 75-100% high; >100% critical. The UN considers 25% to be the upper limit for a safe, no-stress water use situation, with levels above 25% indicating potentially and increasingly problematic water usage.
Data on this indicator for all sectors combined is shown in the interactive visualization.
Target: By 2030 “ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.”2
More research: Further data and research on this topic can be found at the Our World in Data topic page on Water Access, Resources & Sanitation.
Additional charts
Target 6.5Implement integrated water resources management
SDG Indicator 6.5.1Integrated water management
Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 6.5.1 is the “degree of integrated water resources management” in the UN SDG framework.
This measure assesses the status of national development and implementation of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) across the world. IWRM is a process that balances the development and management of water and related resources to maximize social and economic welfare, with ensuring the continued sustainability of vital ecosystems.
This indicator for IWRM implementation is measured on a scale of 0 to 100 in six categories, with 91-100 considered very high; 71-90 high; 51-70 medium-high; medium-low 31-50; 11-30 low; and 0-10 very low. It is calculated from country surveys that focus on the extent to which policies and laws create a suitable environment to enable IWRM; the range and roles of varied institutions that can support IWRM; the tools available for decision-makers and users to make rational and informed choices ; and provision of budgeting and finance for water resources development and management.
Data for this indicator is shown in the interactive visualization.
Target: “By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.”
More research: Further data and research on this topic can be found at the Our World in Data topic page on Water Access, Resources & Sanitation.
SDG Indicator 6.5.2Transboundary water cooperation
Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 6.5.2 is the “proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation” in the UN SDG framework.
This indicator measures the share of the land area covered by transboundary basins (river or lake basins, or aquifer systems, that mark, cross, or are located on the boundaries of multiple countries) that are covered by operational cooperation agreements between countries.
“Operational” in this context means whether the arrangement provides the basic elements needed to enable cooperation in water management: a joint body for cooperation; regular (at least annual) formal communications between countries in the form of meetings; joint or coordinated water management plans or objectives; and regular (at least annual) exchange of data and information.
Data for this indicator is shown in the interactive visualization.
Target: “By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.”
Target 6.6Protect and restore water-related ecosystems
SDG Indicator 6.6.1Protect and restore water-related ecosystems
Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 6.6.1 is the “change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time” in the UN SDG framework.
This indicator incorporates data from a wide range of water bodies and measures: surface area of lakes and rivers (both permanent and seasonal area), reservoirs, mangroves, wetlands; water quality of reservoirs and lakes; flow of rivers; and level of groundwater.
Data for this indicator on lakes and rivers (first chart), wetlands (second chart), and mangrove area (third chart) are shown in the interactive visualizations.
Target: “By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.”
The target was set to be achieved by 2020, unlike most SDG targets which have a timeline of 2030.
Target 6.aExpand water and sanitation support to developing countries
SDG Indicator 6.a.1Water and sanitation support
Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 6.a.1 is the “amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance that is part of a government coordinated spending plan” in the UN SDG framework.
Although this measure is defined in terms of total official development assistance allocated to water- and sanitation-related programs that is used in government budgets, the UN currently reports data only for total official development assistance, regardless of budgetary use.
Official development assistance refers to flows to countries and territories on the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and to multilateral institutions which meet a set of criteria related to the source of the funding, the purpose of the transaction, and the concessional nature of the funding.
Data on total ODA for water- and sanitation-related programs is shown in the interactive visualization.
Target: “By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes.”3
More research: Further data and research on this topic can be found at the Our World in Data topic page on Water Access, Resources & Sanitation.
Target 6.bSupport local engagement in water and sanitation management
SDG Indicator 6.b.1Local participation in water and sanitation management
Definition of the SDG indicator: Indicator 6.b.1 is the “proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management” in the UN SDG framework.
This indicator is defined in terms of the share of local administrative units (as defined by the national government) that have an established and operational mechanism for individuals and communities to meaningfully contribute to planning programs about water management, sanitation management, and hygiene promotion.
However, since this data is still being collected, the UN currently reports data for this indicator in terms of national policies.
Data for this indicator is shown in the interactive visualization.
Target: By 2030 “support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.”
Endnotes
Full text: “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.”
Full text: “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.”
Full text: “By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in waterand sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies.”
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Our World in Data team (2023) - “Ensure access to water and sanitation for all” Published online at OurWorldInData.org. Retrieved from: 'https://ourworldindata.org/sdgs/clean-water-sanitation' [Online Resource]BibTeX citation
@article{owid-sdgs-clean-water-sanitation,
author = {Our World in Data team},
title = {Ensure access to water and sanitation for all},
journal = {Our World in Data},
year = {2023},
note = {https://ourworldindata.org/sdgs/clean-water-sanitation}
}
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