The urgency surrounding water security, safety, and the pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) is evident as we confront the pressing challenge of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Despite aspirations, we remain far from the finish line in achieving safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene for the global population. With just seven years remaining until 2030, the world must collectively work at an accelerated pace — six times faster for the drinking water target and five times faster for sanitation under SDG 6.
As of 2022, 2.2 billion people lacked access to safely managed drinking water, 3.5 billion lacked safe sanitation, and 2.2 billion lacked basic handwashing facilities. The theme for this year's World Toilet Day, 'Accelerating Change', served as a call for individuals to contribute, no matter how small, to expedite progress toward universal access to safe toilets and water by 2030. However, widespread public engagement requires a foundation of education and awareness. Climate change and escalating severe weather events further jeopardize global water safety. Recognizing the intricate connections between climate change and water safety is vital, as this awareness is instrumental in fostering behaviours conducive to water safety. Researchers from the University of Southern California (USC) investigated this topic further and SWM had the privilege of speaking to its leading authors about the unforeseen trends they uncovered.
In this context, the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference convening from 30 November to 12 December, will elevate water on the climate agenda and seek to drive forward progress and raise awareness. It will also build momentum from the UN 2023 Water Conference held in March, pushing the Water Action Agenda even further. In the last issue of Smart Water Magazine Bimonthly of 2023, we discover hand in hand with Tedagua its commitment to SDG 6 through its actions.
While the challenges and opportunities in achieving water security are substantial, the digital transformation of the water sector emerges as a pivotal force to advance environmental sustainability and expedite progress toward SDG 6. Envirosuite, a key player in this field, champions world-leading solutions to manage the impacts of climate change. Mr Colby Manwaring, joining Envirosuite's Board as a non-executive director, shares his vision for the company in an insightful interview, underscoring the importance of software technology in water management to enhance efficiency, promote sustainability and ensure water quality.
