Access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is fundamental to public health and human dignity. However, 2 billion people globally still lack access to safely managed drinking water, and over 3.6 billion people lack access to safely managed sanitation services. Strengthening WASH efforts is key to achieving sustainable development and promoting global health.
WASH initiatives, particularly in rural and low-income areas, have a profound impact on reducing waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), improving access to clean drinking water and safe sanitation can reduce childhood mortality by up to 58%. Handwashing with soap alone has been proven to cut the number of diarrhea-related deaths by nearly 50%, making it one of the most cost-effective health interventions available.
Recent innovations in WASH focus on low-cost, sustainable solutions. Community-led sanitation programs empower local populations to build and maintain infrastructure, while natural water filtration systems and eco-friendly toilets are expanding access to clean water and better hygiene. In regions like sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, these interventions are transforming communities and improving health outcomes. According to UNICEF, every dollar invested in water and sanitation yields up to $4 in economic returns, demonstrating the long-term benefits of these programs.
Ensuring access to WASH is not just a matter of convenience—it is essential for saving lives. By continuing to invest in scalable, sustainable solutions and encouraging local ownership of water and sanitation systems, we can move closer to universal access to these basic human rights, fostering better health, economic stability, and overall well-being across the globe.
[Image by Jack Anstey from Unsplash]
Coordinator of WASH (Water Hygiene and Sanitation) and Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) for sustainable development programs at the Solidarity Foundation of the University of Barcelona (FSUB), adjunct professor at the Biology, Healthcare and Environment Department, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences of the University of Barcelona (UB) and member of HIDROSEC (Sanitary, Cooperation and Economic Hydrology) research group (UB)