More than 2 billion people around the world still lack access to safely managed drinking water, according to a recent United Nations report. The study emphasizes that progress toward universal access remains slow, putting billions at risk of water-related diseases.
Alarming Global Water Gaps
UN agencies focusing on health and child welfare report that one in four people lacked safely managed drinking water last year. Over 100 million people continue to rely on surface water sources, such as rivers, lakes, and canals, which are often unsafe for consumption.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF warn that delays in improving water, sanitation, and hygiene services—collectively known as WASH—leave populations vulnerable, especially in marginalized communities.
The UN’s Goal for 2030
Despite international efforts, universal access to safely managed drinking water by 2030 remains distant. Rüdiger Kress, WHO’s environment and climate lead, stressed, “Water, sanitation, and hygiene are not privileges—they are fundamental human rights. We must accelerate action, particularly for the most marginalized communities.”
Levels of Water Access
The report outlines five levels of water service:
- Safely managed: Clean water free from contaminants, available on premises.
- Basic: Improved water source within 30 minutes round-trip.
- Limited: Improved water source requiring longer collection times.
- Unimproved: Water from unprotected wells or sources.
- Surface water: Direct use from rivers, lakes, or canals.
Since 2015, roughly 961 million people gained access to safely managed water, raising coverage from 68% to 74%. Yet 2.1 billion people remain without it, including 106 million dependent on surface water.
Sanitation and Hygiene Progress
Improvements extend to sanitation, with 1.2 billion people now benefiting from safely managed facilities, up from 48% to 58% coverage since 2015. Open defecation has declined from 429 million to 354 million globally.
In terms of hygiene, 1.6 billion people now have access to basic handwashing facilities with soap and water, covering 80% of the global population compared to 66% a decade ago.
The Human Impact
Cecilia Sharp, UNICEF’s WASH program director, highlighted the risks, especially for children: “When children lack access to drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene, their education and future are threatened. Girls face additional burdens in collecting water and managing menstruation.”
