ABOUT THE GOAL

One in three people live without sanitation. This is causing unnecessary disease and death. Although huge strides have been made with access to clean drinking water, lack of sanitation is undermining these advances. If we provide affordable equipment and education in hygiene practices, we can stop this senseless suffering and loss of life.

Goal 6

Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

8 Targets

The specific, measurable commitments set under this goal. Each one turns a big ambition into something countries, companies and communities can track.

Our Targets
8

319 Events

Gatherings, campaigns and meetings that bring people together around this goal, from local community days to global summits.

Upcoming events
319

38 Publications

Reports, research and guides that explain the progress made so far and what still needs to change.

Our publications
38

1927 Actions

Everyday steps people around the world have taken for this goal. Small actions add up when millions of people take them together.

Take action
1,927

The targets

6.1
SAFE AND AFFORDABLE DRINKING WATER
By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
6.2
END OPEN DEFECATION AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO SANITATION AND HYGIENE
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.
6.3
IMPROVE WATER QUALITY, WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND SAFE REUSE
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.
6.4
INCREASE WATER-USE EFFICIENCY AND ENSURE FRESHWATER SUPPLIES
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.
6.5
IMPLEMENT INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.
6.6
PROTECT AND RESTORE WATER-RELATED ECOSYSTEMS
By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.
6.a
EXPAND WATER AND SANITATION SUPPORT TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
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.b
SUPPORT LOCAL ENGAGEMENT IN WATER AND SANITATION MANAGEMENT
Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.

How can you contribute to this goal


Action 01

Find a Goal 6 charity you want to support

Any donation, big or small, can make a difference!

Photo: Fanny (Appleton) Longfellow (1817-1861), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action01 / 06
Action 02

4 billion people lack access to basic sanitation services

Lend your voice to talk about the lack of toilets in many communities around the world!

Photo: DFID - UK Department for International Development, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action02 / 06
Action 03

Run a campaign on hygiene

Raise awareness about the hygiene issues in your community through social media, school/university campaign or even a campaign in the neighborhood you live in.

Photo: SuSanA Secretariat, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action03 / 06
Action 04

Don’t overuse water

Make sure to close a tap when washing dishes, take short showers – Bathtubs require gallons more water than a 5-10 minute shower. Consider getting a water meter to be aware of your water usage.

Photo: Donald Trung Quoc Don (Chữ Hán: 徵國單) - Wikimedia Commons - © CC BY-SA 4.0 Intern, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action04 / 06
Action 05

Organize a clean up project for rivers and oceans

Engage your whole community to clean up a local river, seaside or an ocean.

Photo: USEPA Environmental-Protection-Agency, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action05 / 06
Action 06

Stay informed

Follow your local news and stay in touch with the Global Goals online or on social media at @TheGlobalGoals.

Photo: Roberto Ferrari from Campogalliano (Modena), Italy, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
› Take action06 / 06

How can you contribute to this goal

0106

Keep scrolling to see each action

01
16

Find a Goal 6 charity you want to support

Any donation, big or small, can make a difference!

Photo: Fanny (Appleton) Longfellow (1817-1861), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
02
26

4 billion people lack access to basic sanitation services

Lend your voice to talk about the lack of toilets in many communities around the world!

Photo: DFID - UK Department for International Development, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
03
36

Run a campaign on hygiene

Raise awareness about the hygiene issues in your community through social media, school/university campaign or even a campaign in the neighborhood you live in.

Photo: SuSanA Secretariat, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
04
46

Don’t overuse water

Make sure to close a tap when washing dishes, take short showers – Bathtubs require gallons more water than a 5-10 minute shower. Consider getting a water meter to be aware of your water usage.

Photo: Donald Trung Quoc Don (Chữ Hán: 徵國單) - Wikimedia Commons - © CC BY-SA 4.0 Intern, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
05
56

Organize a clean up project for rivers and oceans

Engage your whole community to clean up a local river, seaside or an ocean.

Photo: USEPA Environmental-Protection-Agency, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
06
66

Stay informed

Follow your local news and stay in touch with the Global Goals online or on social media at @TheGlobalGoals.

Photo: Roberto Ferrari from Campogalliano (Modena), Italy, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
News feed

SDG News

The latest stories about Goal 6, Clean Water and Sanitation, from news sources around the world.

Loading live feed…