Equipping water utilities to meet SDG6 | D+C – Development + Cooperation

The Challenge of Access to Clean Water and Sanitation

Access to adequate drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene is enshrined in the UN’s 6th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG6) and is considered a human right. However, water scarcity remains a significant issue, particularly in low-income countries. Many people in these countries face daily challenges in finding safe water for their basic needs, such as drinking, cooking, and hygiene. They must also consider factors such as availability, distance, and pollution levels.

The situation is further exacerbated by the climate crisis and urbanization, which are causing water resources to become increasingly scarce. According to WHO and UNICEF, over 2 billion people lack access to clean drinking water, and 3.6 billion have no safe access to sanitary facilities. Women and girls are disproportionately affected, facing social and economic disadvantages due to the need to travel long distances to access water or the lack of sanitation facilities, especially during menstruation.

The UN Water Conference – Addressing the Global Water Crisis

In March of this year, the first UN Water Conference in 50 years took place. It was hailed as a “turning point” for addressing the global water crisis. The international community made 689 voluntary commitments during the conference, demonstrating a commitment to change. However, despite these efforts, access to piped drinking water in cities has actually declined by ten percent over the past 20 years in central and southern Asia.

A similar trend can be seen in sub-Saharan Africa, where only about 57% of the urban population has access to drinking water from the tap, compared to nearly two-thirds 20 years ago. Achieving SDG6 remains a distant goal worldwide, and there is no sign of a reversal in this trend.

Furthermore, there is a growing financing gap in addressing the global water crisis. Official development assistance (ODA) related to water has declined by 12% between 2015 and 2021, according to the UN. The latest UN report warns that financing will need to increase sixfold to ensure universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation by 2030.

The Role of Urban Water Utilities

Urban water utilities play a crucial role in closing the coverage gaps and addressing the global water crisis. They are not only responsible for providing access to clean water and sanitation in urban areas but also contribute to global health and pandemic prevention, as demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Importance of Professional Management

However, simply increasing funding is not enough, as German development cooperation actors have learned through their experience in advising and financing public water utilities. It is essential for water utilities to be professionally managed to ensure that additional funding has a positive impact. Without proper management, additional funding can lead to corruption, equipment deterioration, and customer dissatisfaction.

Most utilities need to focus on maintaining existing infrastructure, connecting more customers to the network, installing water meters, utilizing wastewater treatment plants to their full capacity, and reducing water losses and electricity consumption. Only when these steps are taken can utilities generate sustainable revenue and become creditworthy, allowing them to serve everyone in a financially viable manner.

The Success Story of Nyeri Water and Sanitation Company (NYEWASCO)

The case of NYEWASCO, a water utility in Nyeri, Kenya, serves as an instructive example. Through motivated management and support from political decision-makers, NYEWASCO has significantly improved its service provision and economic situation. They have doubled the number of connections, reduced water losses to below 20%, and generated enough revenue to cover operating and maintenance costs, enabling further investments. NYEWASCO has also expanded service for the poor and has been recognized as the best water utility in Kenya 14 times by the water regulation authority.

The Need for Holistic Strengthening of Water Utilities

Project financing for new infrastructure often overlooks the importance of corporate governance and local political support, which are crucial for long-term success. Financing should be tied to improving service provision, promoting cultural transformations, implementing reforms, increasing efficiency, and introducing new technologies. Technical consulting and training should also be prioritized to ensure the effective operation of utilities.

Development cooperation plays a vital role in providing technical and financial support for utility reforms. It is essential to ensure that local managers receive targeted assistance at the right moment to mobilize support and funds for utility reforms. The focus should not solely be on new infrastructure projects but on strengthening water utilities as economic enterprises that provide socially just, high-quality, affordable, and sustainable public services.

Conclusion

The global water crisis requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the challenges of access to clean water and sanitation. While funding is crucial, it must be accompanied by professional management, infrastructure maintenance, and capacity building within water utilities. Development cooperation plays a vital role in supporting these efforts and ensuring the achievement of SDG6.

Contact Information:

1. Daniel Nordmann – Policy Advisor for GIZ and KfW for the Urban Water Catalyst Initiative. Email: daniel.nordmann@giz.de
2. Dieter Rothenberger – Head of the GIZ sector program “International Water Policy – Innovations for Resilience”. Email: dieter.rothenberger@giz.de
3. Jörg Dux – Head of the KfW team “Water and Waste Management in North Africa”. Email: joerg.dux@kfw.de

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
   • Target 6.2: By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.
   • Indicator: Access to clean drinking water and sanitary facilities.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
   • Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
   • Indicator: Access to piped drinking water in cities.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
   • Indicator: Financing for water-related development assistance.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets identified are:

– Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.

– Target 6.2: By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.

– Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.

– Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.

– Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions or implies indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

– Access to clean drinking water and sanitary facilities: This indicator can measure progress towards achieving Target 6.1 and Target 6.2.

– Access to piped drinking water in cities: This indicator can measure progress towards achieving Target 11.1.

– Financing for water-related development assistance: This indicator can measure progress towards achieving Target 17.17.

The article highlights the lack of access to clean drinking water and sanitary facilities, the decline in access to piped drinking water in cities, and the financing gap for water-related development assistance. These issues indicate the need for progress in achieving the identified targets.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators