Earth Week Day 2 - Global Goal 6

Global Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Global Goal 6 focuses on clean water and sanitation for all. This includes sustainable water management, increase of water use efficiency, clean water that meets the global standard for all, betterment of wastewater treatment to enable reuse of water, sanitation for all, and hygiene facilities for all.

How is water quality assessed?

Water quality is put together by measurements of microbes, metals and other substances considered hazardous per 100ml.

In Switzerland, no more than 10 counts of bacteria per 100ml is allowed in untreated water intended for drinking.

There are health parameters which are the amount of chemicals and radiological constituents which can cause harm to people and then there are the acceptability guidelines which may not have any effects on health like smell and taste.

All are calculated together in an index that describes the overall water quality.

How is wastewater treated?

What does sustainable water management look like?

Sustainable management means effective use of water resources, while ing for increase in demand and use as well as climate change, natural disasters, and changes in quantity and quality.

Effective regulation of pricing measures as well as avoiding unnecessary consumption are also part of sustainable water management.

A tactic to raise awareness are education campaigns to inform on the importance of saving as much water as possible.

Sanitation and Hygiene for all. How?

Unfortunately there is yet to be an answer for getting everyone on the planet access to sanitation and hygiene. Many NGO’s and charities work around the clock building rudimentary toilets or wells to provide people with access to basic sanitary needs.

Donations, volunteering, and education are methods to achieve these goals.