Water for Health, Food and Nature

Water is our most valuable yet overlooked natural resource. It sustains people, powers economies and jobs, grows food and supports ecosystems. But this vital asset is under greater stress than ever before. To achieve a world free of poverty, we need to transform how we use and manage water resources, especially in the context of climate change. Water strategies should aim to ensure the efficient and sustainable use of water for the health of people and other living beings, food production and the preservation of nature. Access to sufficient water of good quality and sanitation is fundamental for public health and economic growth. Yet, over 2 billion people still lack access to safely managed drinking water, and more than 3.5 billion live without adequate sanitation. Each year, 400,000 children under the age of five die from unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene. Water requirement for domestic purposes is a small percentage of the total water needed for all sectors. To make available 100 L of water each day to the 8.2 billion global population, we just need about 300 billion cubic meters of water annually. This is a small percentage of the current total water withdrawals, but yet more than 25% of the global population lacks access to safe drinking water. The challenge is not the physical water scarcity, but the techno-economic water scarcity. Expansion of inclusive and reliable water and sanitation services by adopting circular economy approaches, reforming water pricing and speeding up utility and service reforms is needed. Governments have to strengthen their institutions and increase local funding to improve services, drive efficiency and encourage low-cost innovations. As the world's population continues to grow, so does the demand for food and, consequently, the need for water. In some regions, farmers face challenges in producing enough food due to a lack of water, while in others, agriculture consumes more water than the land can sustainably provide. Small-scale farmers, who depend on unpredictable rainfall, are particularly vulnerable to these conditions. Currently, around half a billion smallholder farmers are affected by erratic rainfall. Expanding irrigation sustainably can significantly enhance farmers' harvests, improve their livelihoods and lower food prices—benefiting especially the poor households that allocate a larger portion of their income to food. Implementing smarter farming methods and technologies that increase food production within the limits of available water supply is essential. Additionally, fostering a connection between farmers and the private sector is crucial for providing access to better tools, infrastructure and financing to help grow their businesses. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns and extreme weather events are disrupting water resources and threatening ecosystems. Wetlands are shrinking, rivers are drying up and biodiversity is declining, which jeopardizes the health of our planet and leaves millions without reliable access to freshwater. Our future depends on protecting the planet's water resources for everyone who relies on them. Effective water management approaches include building resilient systems that shield communities from floods and droughts, restoring and preserving ecosystems to maintain water quality and integrating water management with broader environmental policies. Water is essential for jobs, productivity, livelihoods and thriving economies. Water-dependent sectors, such as agriculture, energy and industry, support 1.7 billion jobs worldwide. Access to clean water and sanitation improves public health and frees up time, enabling more people—especially women—to participate in the workforce. Investment in water supply and sanitation offers strong value for money. No country can achieve lasting prosperity without securing its water future. Water shortages can wipe out jobs, as seen in Cape Town's 2018 drought, which cost 20,000 agricultural workers their livelihoods. Investing in water security is not just about survival; it is about building stronger, more resilient economies. Providing and maintaining water supply and sanitation services demand significant investments from both public and private sectors, as well as improved policies, institutions and regulations to enhance efficiency and minimize waste. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals for water supply and sanitation will require nearly double the current levels of public funding. The water sector faces significant challenges, including low government budget execution rates, productivity losses and inefficiencies. Additionally, existing subsidies are poorly allocated, failing to benefit the poor or promote performance. To enhance the effectiveness of government spending, measures such as capacity building, water pricing reforms and improvements to utility management are essential. These steps will strengthen the sector and attract more private investment and international capital, accelerating progress in water services. The private sector has unique strengths when it comes to addressing water challenges. Private companies are in a strong position to innovate by creating new financing mechanisms and developing advanced applications for technologies. Collaboration can enhance financing, operational efficiency and expertise in the water sector. It is important to encourage private sector participation by implementing regulatory reforms, improving governance in the water sector and reducing investment risks through technical assistance, as well as various financing and de-risking instruments. Innovation is crucial for addressing the world's water challenges; however, the water sector has been slow to adopt new technologies. In fact, less than 10% of water utilities in low- and middle-income countries utilize tools such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics or digital twins. Nevertheless, advancements in sensor technology, computing and data management provide powerful methods for monitoring water quality, optimizing supply and improving decision-making. To accelerate progress, we must implement policies and incentives that promote innovation, invest in financing to scale new solutions, and ensure continuous learning for water professionals so they can keep up with emerging technologies. By embracing innovation, we can create smarter, more efficient and more resilient water systems, ultimately driving both sustainability and economic growth. Water is a limited resource on our planet, and using it efficiently across various sectors is essential to reduce waste and improve effectiveness. To achieve a world that is secure in both water and food supply, we must address the physical and economic water scarcities that exist in different regions. This can be accomplished through innovative technologies and adequate financing. It is a shared responsibility that should involve everyone and all sectors of a nation's economy.