Billions will lack access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene in 2030

Water is an essential resource for people, nature, and climate regulation, making drinking water a fundamental human right. However, water scarcity and droughts are increasingly widespread around the world.

Around 50% of the world’s population currently experiences severe water scarcity, and one-quarter faces extremely high levels of water stress. Water scarcity can have cascading effects across social and economic systems. Water supply cuts are becoming more frequent, and new solutions are needed for the sustainable use of this crucial resource.

Toilets are responsible for 30% and 60% of water consumption in houses and commercial spaces. This represents a high pressure on water sources and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs).

In 2018, wastewater treatment was responsible for 34,45 million tons CO2e/year in the EU. Thus, by reducing water consumption from the use of toilets an important portion of the problem is addressed, not only by directly reducing the amount of water consumed but also by indirectly reducing the pressure on WWTPs and pollution related to water procurement and treatment.

Conventional toilets consume large amounts of water, contributing to resource scarcity and environmental degradation, which can be especially problematic in regions facing water stress. Moreover, this excessive consumption also results in financial impacts for households, businesses, and communities.

Hygiene and health risks are another significant concern. Water scarcity and inefficient wastewater treatment can increase the risks of disease outbreaks.

Addressing these issues with sustainable, efficient, and technologically advanced solutions is essential to meet global needs and contribute to environmental conservation. 

Many global initiatives were born to tackle these issues such as the Water Framework Directive (WFD). This European initiative has been, since 2000, Europe's main law for water protection. It aims for an integrated approach to water management, respecting the integrity of whole ecosystems, regulating individual pollutants, and setting corresponding regulatory standards. 

In 2015, at the UN Summit, the United Nations Member States adopted the Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) on water and sanitation as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable

Development. This provided the blueprint for ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. 

None of the SDG 6 targets are on track to be met. 

More than halfway past the mid-point of the 2030 Agenda, progress towards the implementation of the common priorities on water remains inadequate. To meet the global target of universal access by 2030, progress needs to be six times faster for safely managed drinking water, five times faster for safely managed sanitation, and three times faster for basic hygiene. 

Climate change worsens these issues, posing significant risks to social stability. Coordinated global action on integrated water management, addressing the impacts of climate change on water resources, and better management of shared waters are key to restoring focus on the Goal.