World Water Day

| March 20, 2017

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March 22 is World Water Day, a good day to talk about access to clean water. More than 660 million people worldwide lack a safe water supply close to home. This can mean hours trekking to a water source or waiting in line—work often done by women or children.

Many people also suffer health complications because of contaminated water. According to the United Nations, one in seven people practice open defecation, and 1.8 billion people use a source of water that is contaminated by fecal matter.

Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is “access to water and sanitation for all.” This includes universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water.

For more information on the targets for Goal 6, go to: http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/water-and-sanitation/

 

Photo credit: Simon Scott Photography