Access to water and sanitation is a recognized human right and has been for long one of the key international development policies and goals (UNCESCR 2003, UNGA, 2010). By 2050, it is estimated that global demand for water will increase by 55%, mainly due to the increasing urbanization of developing countries (OECD, 2012a).

Currently about 2.1 billion people, 30% of the global population, have no access to piped drinking water. Every 90 seconds, a child dies due to lack of access to water. Every day, a total of 10,000 people die due to the lack of potable water or from diseases contracted through the use of unsuitable water.

4.5 billion People, or 60% of the global population, do not have safely managed sanitation services, according to a new joint report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.

“These services are essential to human health and it is the responsibility of all countries to ensure that everyone can access them,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization.