essay on water and sanitation

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

Thanks for signing up as a global citizen. In order to create your account we need you to provide your email address. You can check out our Privacy Policy to see how we safeguard and use the information you provide us with. If your Facebook account does not have an attached e-mail address, you'll need to add that before you can sign up.

This account has been deactivated.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to re-activate your account.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, or WASH, are issues that affect the health and wellbeing of every person in the world. Everyone needs clean water to drink. Everyone needs a safe place to pee and poop. And everyone needs to be able to clean themselves. For many people, WASH concerns are taken for granted and their combined impact on life isn’t always appreciated.

But for hundreds of millions of others, water, sanitation and hygiene are constant sources of stress and illness. The quality of water, sanitation and hygiene in a person’s life is directly correlated to poverty, as it is usually joined by lack of education, lack of opportunity and gender inequality.  

What’s the scope of the problem?

780 million people do not have regular access to clean water.

2.4 billion people, or 35% of the global population, do not have access to adequate sanitation.

Inadequate sanitation generally means open defecation. When people defecate in the open without a proper waste management system, then the feces generally seeps into and contaminates water systems. Just standing in an open defecation zone can lead to disease, if, for instance, the person is barefoot and parasites are there.

The problem is concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Asia and Eastern Asia. The country with the most people lacking adequate WASH is India.

Girls are the hardest hit by lack of clean water and sanitation for a few reasons. When schools lack functional toilets or latrines, girls often drop out because of the stigma associated with periods. Also, when families don’t have enough water, girls are generally forced to travel hours to gather some, leaving little time for school. This lack of education then contributes to higher poverty rates for women.

What are the health risks?

There are a lot of health risks associated with inadequate WASH. Just imagine what it would be like if you were drinking contaminated water and everyone in your community defecated in the open.

801,000 kids under the age of 5 die each year because of diarrhea. 88% of these cases are traced to contaminated water and lack of sanitation.

More than a billion people are infected by parasites from contaminated water or open defecation. One of these parasites is called the Guinea Worm Disease, which consists of worms up to 1 meter in size that emerge from the body through blisters.

The bacterial infection Trachoma generally comes from contaminated water and is a leading cause of blindness in the world.

Other common WASH-related diseases include Cholera, Typhoid and Dysentery.

And, again, step back to consider what life without clean water and adequate sanitation would be like. A lot of your time would be spent trying to get clean water and avoid sanitation problems in the first place. And the hours not revolving around these concerns would probably be reduced quality of life because of the many minor health problems associated with poor water quality. Ultimately, inadequate WASH leads to reduced quality of life all the time.

What’s being done?

For every $1 USD invested in WASH programs, economies gain $5 to $46 USD. In the US, for instance, water infrastructure investments had a 23 to 1 return rate in the 20th century. When people aren’t always getting sick, they’re more productive and everyone benefits.

While the numbers are daunting, a lot is being done. And the economic benefits of WASH investments make the likelihood of future investments and future progress much higher.

Some investments are small-scale, others are large-scale. On the smaller side of the spectrum, investments can go toward water purification methods, community wells or sources of water and the construction of community latrines.

For instance, in a slum in Nairobi, Kenya, the government recently installed ATM-style water dispensers that provide clean water to the whole community.

Larger scale investments include piped household water connections and household toilets with adequate sewage systems or septic tanks.

An often overlooked aspect of WASH involves behavioral hygiene, and, more specifically, hand washing. Simply washing your hands with soap can reduce the risk of various diseases, including the number 1 killer of the world’s poorest children: pneumonia .

What progress has been made?

In 1990, 76% of the global population had access to safe drinking water and 54% had access to adequate sanitation facilities.

In 2015, even though the population had climbed by more than 2 billion people, 91% of people had access to safe drinking water and 68% had access to improved sanitation.

That means in 25 years, 2.6 billion people gained access to safe drinking water and 2.1 billion gained access to improved sanitation.

India is currently in the process of an unprecedented WASH investment program. At the 2014 Global Citizen Festival, Prime Minister Narendra Modi committed to end open defecation in the country and has since mobilized substantial resources with the help of The World Bank .

What role does Global Citizen play in all this?

Global Citizen puts pressure on world leaders to focus on and direct money to poverty solutions around the world. When it comes to WASH, global citizens have helped raise awareness of the various associated problems and motivate politicians to invest in specific programs.

Head over to our Impact page to read more about specific achievements. 

Defeat Poverty

Why Clean Water, Sanitation And Hygiene Are So Important

Aug. 23, 2016

ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

Sustainable development goal 6: clean water and sanitation.

The Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to work toward a sustainable and poverty-free world by 2030. Goal 6, in particular, seeks to ensure that people have access to clean water and adequate sanitation services worldwide.

Biology, Health, Conservation

Loading ...

The members of the United Nations (UN) adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. These 17 goals are designed to unite nations in the common cause of ensuring the general welfare of all humans by the year 2030. These goals include a focus on ending poverty, tackling climate change , and maintaining high standards of resources.

SDG 6 focuses on ensuring a clean and stable water supply and effective water sanitation for all people by the year 2030. The goal is a reaction to the fact that many people throughout the world lack these basic services. About 40 percent of the world’s population is affected by a lack of water. As global temperatures rise, that total is expected to increase. Already, some of the poorest countries in the world are affected by drought , resulting in famine and malnutrition . Throughout the world, about 1.7 billion people live in a watershed where water is used faster than the watershed can be replenished. According to some estimates, if such trends continue, one in four people, or more, might experience water shortages on a regular basis by the year 2050.

Compounding the problem of water scarcity is the lack of reliable sanitation throughout the world. More than two billion people worldwide lack basic sanitation services, such as simple latrines or toilets. More than 890 million of those people live in regions where “open defecation” occurs. This means that human waste is left in the open. Adding to the issue is the fact that 80 percent of wastewater throughout the planet is emptied into the ocean or rivers without proper waste removal.

Alarmed by these problems, the UN established SDG 6 in an effort to make adequate sanitation and water services available to all people by the year 2030. As many as 800 million people, or more, would require the construction of facilities to provide consistent clean water and waste removal. To succeed in their vision, the UN developed a series of targets. These targets include restoring and protecting river ecosystems throughout the world, eliminating sources of water pollution , and increasing international cooperation to bring services throughout the world.

In an effort to reach the targets outlined by SDG 6, some water companies have installed smart meters in places where water scarcity is a concern. These meters track and charge for every drop of water used in a household, which has led to higher water conservation in countries like The Gambia and Tanzania. The CEO of one such company, eWATERpay, claims that these meters have reduced water waste by 99 percent.

Such efforts take time and require many countries to work together. While some strides have been made, based on information from a 2017 UN study, not enough has been done to ensure that this goal will be met by 2030. Managing these targets properly is the only way to make certain all people will benefit from clean water and effective sanitation in the years ahead.

Media Credits

The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited.

Production Managers

Program specialists, last updated.

October 19, 2023

User Permissions

For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. They will best know the preferred format. When you reach out to them, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource.

If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media.

Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service .

Interactives

Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. You cannot download interactives.

Related Resources

Essay on Water Sanitation And Hygiene

Students are often asked to write an essay on Water Sanitation And Hygiene in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Water Sanitation And Hygiene

What is water sanitation and hygiene.

Water Sanitation and Hygiene, often called WASH, is about keeping water clean, getting rid of waste safely, and keeping hands and bodies clean. These are important for staying healthy, stopping diseases, and living a better life. Clean water is needed for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Why is Clean Water Important?

Clean water keeps us from getting sick. Drinking or using dirty water can cause diseases like cholera. That’s why it’s important to have clean water for everyone.

Keeping Our Surroundings Clean

Getting rid of waste the right way stops germs from spreading. Toilets and proper waste systems help keep our environment clean and safe.

Handwashing: A Simple Step

Washing hands with soap is a simple way to stop germs. Doing this before eating or after using the toilet can prevent illnesses. It’s an easy habit with big health benefits.

Working Together

Everyone has a part in making sure we have clean water, proper sanitation, and good hygiene practices. By working together, we can make a healthier world for all.

250 Words Essay on Water Sanitation And Hygiene

Importance of water sanitation and hygiene.

Clean water, proper sanitation, and good hygiene practices are essential for maintaining good health and preventing the spread of diseases. Access to clean water and sanitation is a fundamental human right, and everyone should have access to these basic necessities. Poor sanitation and hygiene practices can contribute to the transmission of diseases, such as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. These diseases can cause severe illness and even death, and they disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, such as children and the elderly.

Access to Clean Water

Access to clean water is essential for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and sanitation. When people do not have access to clean water, they are often forced to rely on unsafe sources of water, such as contaminated wells, rivers, or lakes. This can lead to waterborne diseases, which can cause a variety of health problems. In addition, lack of access to clean water can make it difficult to maintain good hygiene practices, which can also contribute to the spread of disease.

Sanitation and Hygiene

Sanitation and hygiene practices are also essential for preventing the spread of disease. Proper sanitation includes the safe disposal of human waste and wastewater, as well as the provision of clean and hygienic latrines. Good hygiene practices include washing hands with soap and water, brushing teeth, and bathing regularly. These practices help to remove germs and bacteria from the body and prevent the spread of infection.

Water sanitation and hygiene are essential for maintaining good health and preventing the spread of disease. Access to clean water, sanitation, and good hygiene practices are fundamental human rights, and everyone should have access to these basic necessities. By working together, we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy and productive life.

500 Words Essay on Water Sanitation And Hygiene

Water sanitation and hygiene: staying healthy and happy.

Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are essential for human health and well-being. WASH refers to the availability of clean water, proper sanitation facilities, and good hygiene practices. These elements work together to prevent diseases, promote good health, and improve overall quality of life.

Clean Water: The Foundation of Good Health

Access to clean water is a basic human right and a prerequisite for good health. Clean water is essential for drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing clothes. It helps us stay hydrated, prevents waterborne diseases, and improves our overall health. Unfortunately, many people around the world do not have access to clean water, making them vulnerable to various health risks.

Sanitation: Keeping Our Surroundings Clean

Sanitation refers to the proper disposal of human waste and wastewater. Adequate sanitation facilities, such as toilets and latrines, help prevent the spread of diseases and ensure a clean and healthy environment. Poor sanitation, on the other hand, can contaminate water sources, attract disease-carrying insects, and create unpleasant odors.

Hygiene: Personal Cleanliness and Healthy Habits

Hygiene refers to personal cleanliness and healthy habits that help prevent the spread of germs and infections. Handwashing with soap and water is one of the most important hygiene practices, as it helps remove germs from our hands and prevents them from spreading to others or our food. Other important hygiene practices include taking regular baths, brushing our teeth, and covering our mouths when we cough or sneeze.

WASH in Schools: Promoting Healthy Learning Environments

Schools play a crucial role in promoting WASH practices among children. By providing access to clean water, toilets, and handwashing facilities, schools can create a healthier environment for students and staff. Children who have access to WASH facilities are less likely to get sick, which means they can attend school more regularly and learn better.

Conclusion: Investing in WASH for a Healthier Future

Investing in WASH is an investment in the health and well-being of individuals and communities. By providing access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and promoting good hygiene practices, we can prevent diseases, improve health, and create a better quality of life for everyone. WASH is a cornerstone of public health and a fundamental human right that should be available to all.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Water Recycling
• Essay on Water Quality
• Essay on Water On Earth

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.