Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)

Drinking-water encompasses water used for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene. Water safety and quality are fundamental to human development and well-being. Providing access to safe water is one of the most effective instruments in promoting health and reducing poverty.

Health risks may arise from consumption of water that is contaminated with infectious agents, toxic chemicals, and radiological hazards. Contaminated water and poor sanitation are linked to transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio. Absent, inadequate, or inappropriately managed water and sanitation services expose individuals to preventable health risks.

In 2010, the UN General Assembly explicitly recognised the human right to water and sanitation. Everyone has the right to sufficient, continuous, safe, acceptable, physically accessible, and affordable water for personal and domestic use.

Sustainable Development Goal target 6.1 calls for universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking-water. The target is tracked with the indicator of “safely managed drinking-water services” – drinking-water from an improved water source that is located on premises, available when needed, and free from faecal and priority chemical contamination.

WHO leads global efforts to prevent transmission of waterborne disease, advising governments on the development of health-based targets and regulations.

WHO produces a series of water quality guidelines, including on drinking-water, safe use of wastewater, and safe recreational water environments. These guidelines are based on managing risks, and since 2004 the Guidelines for drinking-water quality promote the Framework for Safe Drinking-water.

WHO also supports countries to implement the drinking-water quality guidelines through the development of practical guidance materials and provision of direct country support. This includes the development of locally relevant drinking-water quality regulations aligned to the principles in the Guidelines, the development, implementation and auditing of Water Safety Plans and strengthening of surveillance practices.

In India, WHO has been facilitating support to key stakeholders in improving the quality of drinking-water, development of guidelines and training manuals, research, capacity-building and promotion of best practices. It has supported the piloting of a Water Safety Plan in the cities of Hyderabad, Nagpur, Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Surat.  A Memorandum of Understanding has also been  signed with the Water Quality Assessment Authority, Government of India to provide a framework of cooperation in the area of water quality monitoring and assessment activities.