SDG 6 – Changing International Policies on Safe Water and Sanitation after the Second World War

Abstract

History shows how water is a key driving force in development and communities. Sustainable Development Goal 6, “Clean Water and Sanitation,” shows the priority of water services while water also connects many other development sectors. The chapter analyzes international water collaboration after the Second World War, professional associations, the role of the UN, wider views on water management, and long-term policy trends. In spite of the increased global efforts there are still 2.1 billion people without safely managed water services, 4.5 billion people lack safely managed sanitation, and almost one billion have to practice open defecation. Since earlier policies on free water and water services privatization both failed, we need more realistic reforms and overall capacity building. In developing economies access to water services is a major challenge, whereas in developed societies more efforts are needed for upgrading the ageing infrastructure. Reaching many of the SDGs, not only SDG 6, requires additional efforts and reorientation in water services education and research.