Role in Supporting the Monitoring of Water Targets and Sanitation: A Societal Process of Development

Abstract

Water is a critical need for all aspects of life on Earth, and underpins the sustainability of national economy, society and the environment. Factors, such as population growth, climate change and rainfall variability, land use changes, water pollution, institutional arrangements, and water demand for food production, affect future water availability and security. Sustainable water is when a nation can be water self-sufficient: ensuring there is enough water to meet multiple needs, from agriculture to municipal and industrial. Ensure that all employees and their families have ample access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation, and raise awareness about hygiene practices. Invest in clean-ups and restoration of water ecosystems to ensure sustainable water withdrawals. Sustainable management of water resources and access to safe water and sanitation are essential for unlocking economic growth and productivity, and provide significant leverage for existing investments in health and education. Scientific research and evidence have an important role to play in facilitating the implementation of availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all through assessments and policy engagement from global to local scales. This paper addresses some of these challenges related to implementation and monitoring of these targets from a water perspective, based on the key findings: indicators, inter-linkages, and implementation. It also recognizes that implementing these goals is a societal process of development, and there is a need to link how Sustainable Development Goals relate to public benefits and to communicate this to the broader public. Key words: Water, sustainability, sanitation, societal process, environment