Giving Compass' Take:
- Janet Tinsley discusses the need for greater philanthropy and investment in universal access to safe water, the subject of U.N. SDG 6.
- As a donor, what steps can you take to effectively invest in universal access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene? What opportunities does this vital access open up for communities across the globe?
- Learn more about key issues in water, sanitation, and hygiene and how you can help.
- Search our Guide to Good for nonprofits focused on water, sanitation, and hygiene in your area.
What is Giving Compass?
We connect donors to learning resources and ways to support community-led solutions. Learn more about us.
Universal access to safe water is one of the smartest investments the world can make. It improves health, saves time, and creates opportunities for women and families. Yet today, 2.2 billion people — one in four globally — still live without it. In my role as Chief Global Impact Officer at Water.org, I’ve seen how access to safe water changes lives: children can attend school, women can earn an income, and families can build resilience to a changing environment.
The Promise of Universal Access to Safe Water
When families gain lasting access to safe water and sanitation, everything changes. Mothers no longer spend hours walking to collect water. Children stay in school instead of missing class because of waterborne illness. Families save money, increase income, and are better positioned to break free from the cycle of poverty. This is the opportunity safe water brings — and it is still out of reach for 2.2 billion people.
At Water.org, we know the greatest barrier is financial. Families have the determination and solutions close at hand, and with access to affordable financing, they can make lasting improvements. Breaking down that barrier is at the core of our work, and it has already empowered more than 81 million people with access to safe water or sanitation, helping them change their lives and their futures.
The Promise of SDG 6
The world has set a bold goal: universal access to safe water and sanitation by 2030. Progress has been made, and the path forward is clear. Achieving this vision requires closing a massive financing gap. According to the World Bank, an estimated $114 billion per year (starting from 2016) is needed to deliver safely managed water and sanitation for all by 2030, while current annual investment stands at $28.4 billion. That leaves a shortfall of more than $85 billion every year — more than three times current levels of investment.
Closing this gap is essential to unlocking improved health, increased school attendance, and economic opportunity that access to safe water and sanitation make possible.
Read the full article about investing in universal access to safe water by Janet Tinsley at Impakter.