wateraccess

Water access refers to the availability of sufficient quantities of safe drinking water for household use, delivered with reliability and affordability. It encompasses both physical proximity to water sources and the quality, continuity, and cost of the water service.

Access is evaluated by service level and safety. Service levels include water provided on premises or nearby, and whether the water is reliably available when needed. International measurement uses terms from the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) of the World Health Organization and UNICEF, such as improved water source and safely managed drinking water services. Safely managed means a source that is on premises, available when needed, and free of fecal and chemical contamination.

Data on water access are used to track progress toward global targets, notably Sustainable Development Goal 6, which seeks universal and equitable access to safe drinking water and sanitation by 2030. Measurements distinguish urban and rural areas, and reflect disparities among regions and income groups.

Global trends show substantial progress over recent decades, but uneven outcomes. Many urban populations in middle-income regions have high coverage, while rural communities, small towns, and the least developed countries continue to face gaps due to infrastructure deficits, governance challenges, pollution, and climate-related variability.

Efforts to improve water access combine infrastructure investments, governance reforms, protection of water sources, and affordable service delivery. Integrated water resources management and inclusive approaches that address gender, poverty, and marginalized groups are central to expanding reliable access. Access to safe water underpins health, education, and economic development.