On World Toilet Day we at Xylem would like to shed light on the value of safe and clean sanitation. While access to clean and safe toilets might seem like a common resource to many of us, there are 3.6 billion people around the world living in underserved conditions, who are deprived of it.
According to the United Nations General Assembly, access to water and sanitation is a fundamental human right. So fundamental that it is recognized as a prerequisite for the realization of other human rights. Not only is it detrimental to individual wellbeing, the lack of access can also have harmful effects our environment, as more than 80% of the wastewater resulting from human activity is being discharged into water sources without any kind of treatment. Needless to say, this poses a major risk to those who have no other option but to consume this water.
At Sensus, a Xylem brand, we are committed to solving the water crisis through innovation and digital transformation. If we don't act now to increase access for underserved populations to proper sanitation, we risk not only depriving human beings of their basic rights, but also catalyzing environmental risks associated with the lack of appropriate systems to manage water.
At Sensus, a Xylem brand, we are committed to solving the water crisis through innovation and digital transformation
Without sounding oversimplistic, the solution really does lie in increased global collaboration and collective digital innovation. Government leaders and decision-makers around the world need to join hands and adopt digital water technologies that have the potential to shift the paradigm for proper sanitation. While we have seen incredible global efforts to install and provide toilets in underserved communities, I believe these efforts can be amplified if we embed the infrastructure of smart water technology everywhere possible.
Smart meters and sensors can preserve the longevity and functionality of toilets by proactively detecting – burst pipes, damaged cisterns and water leaks so utilities can act in time - saving water, costs and ensuring continued sustainable access for the local community.
Toilets are part of our daily lives, and we don’t think twice about them as we utilize them on a daily basis. Please join us in taking a moment today to appreciate that and remember those who don’t have this privilege.
