Sustainable Development Goal 6
Clean Water and Sanitation
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Goal 6 covers safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, water quality, efficient water use, integrated water-resource management, protection of water-related ecosystems, international cooperation and community participation.
Target-area diagram
What Goal 6 covers
This N4SF explanatory diagram groups the main policy areas addressed by the official United Nations targets for this goal.
Official United Nations targets
Goal 6 target list
The wording below is sourced from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs goal page.
By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
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
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
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
By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate
By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes
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
Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management