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In the international context, very relevant for water policies is the Sustainable Development Goal: ‘SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all‘.
Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, all United Nations Member States , adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
Very relevant for water policies is "SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all". SDG 6 consists of the following targets
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 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 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally
Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity
Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate
Target 6.6: By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes
Sub-target 6.a: By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies
Sub-target 6.b: Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management
Source: SDG 6: TARGETS AND INDICATORS