Water and Sanitation Services

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Lack of safe and reliable water supply affects more than 800 million people worldwide; over 2.5 billion people lack adequate sanitation services. Globally, this has a major negative impact on human health, environmental sustainability and on economic development. Rapid population growth, urbanisation, climate change, pollution and inadequate financing, present unprecedented challenges to the provision of water and sanitation services.

Improving and managing universal services of water and sanitation in a holistic manner is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and addressing the needs of millions of people around the world. To do so, it must take into account social, economic and environmental factors, while adapting to climate change risks to ensure the resilience of water and sanitation systems.

Partnering with water utilities, national and international institutions, the IWA Water and Sanitation Services programme works to ensure the safe, reliable, equitable and efficient supply and service delivery of water and sanitation. We do this through innovative pilot projects, international frameworks, and advocacy to improve regulation and policy, including the implementation of Water Safety Plans and Sanitation Safety Plans.

 

Related IWA Specialist Groups

Treatment Technologies
Water and Health

 

 

 

 

 

 

Information and Communications Technology

 

 

Daniela Bemfica
Strategic Programmes & Engagement Director

Initiatives

See initiatives related to this programme

Inclusive Sanitation

  Reshaping the global agenda on urban sanitation  ...

Climate Smart Utilities

With urgent action needed on mitigation and adaptation, utilities from around the world, regardless of their size or loc...

Operation & Maintenance Network

The Operation and Maintenance Network aims to contribute to the sustainability of water and wastewater services, and thr...

Water Safety Planning

Humanity cannot thrive and survive without water. Cities cannot function without water. A simple, but powerful reality. ...

Regulating for Citywide Inclusive Sanitation

Rallying service providers and regulators for joint action...

Human Rights to Water and Sanitation

Since the recognition, in 2010, of access to safe drinking water and sanitation as Human Rights by the Member States of ...

AquaRating

Water and wastewater companies are constantly challenged to deliver reliable, high quality, affordable, and sustainable ...

Innovators Platform

Bridging the chasm to get disruptive innovations in the water sector...

Water Policy and Regulation

Sustainable management of water and sanitation for all relies upon the collective action of interdependent stakeholders,...

Engage with the Digital Water Programme

The Digital Water Programme helps facilitate the journey of the water industry towards digital uptake and integration in...

View past initiatives

Climate Resilient Water Safety Planning to Improve...

Preventative management and planning approaches, such as Water Safety Plans (WSPs), provides a simple robust framework f...

Performance-Based Contracts for Non-Revenue Water ...

The financial viability and operational performance of water utilities is heavily affected by excessive levels of non-re...

Public Participation in the Regulation of Urban Wa...

In this project we look into the use of public participation within the decision making process of setting tariffs and p...

Urban Sanitation and Wastewater

Today, around 80% of all wastewater is discharged into the world’s waterways every day, where it creates health, envir...

Improving Water Security for the Poor (REACH)

REACH is a new global research programme to improve water security for the poor by delivering world-class science that t...

Blog Posts

Latest opinions and insights relevant to the water sector

March 1, 2024
As the world marks International Women’s Day 2024 under the theme "Investing in Women: Accelerating Progress," I am reminded of the transformative power of em...
March 1, 2024
As we commemorate Women's Day 2024 under the theme "Invest in Women", let's focus on empowering women in the water sector. This blog explores the crucial role o...
November 17, 2023
This World Toilet Day, we’re spotlighting innovative and unconventional solutions to accelerate change and achieve universal access to sustainable sanitation ...
October 26, 2023
The climate crisis demands urgent action across all sectors to reduce emissions and adapt to changing climatic conditions and sanitation is no exception. While ...

News / Events

December 20, 2023
Last week saw the International Water Association reach a new landmark in the shape of its most successful Water Development Congress & Exhibition to date. ...
December 20, 2023
The International Water Association (IWA) is delighted to announce the winners of the inaugural Inclusive Urban Sanitation Champions programme, revealed in Kiga...
December 10, 2023
The International Water Association (IWA) is delighted to present the final keynote speaker’s lineup for the Water and Development Congress & Exhibition i...