Delivering Clean Water to the Many in Need

Examining the immense scale of the challenge in delivering clean drinking water to everyone in the world.

2 minute read

August 11, 2021, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Drinking Water

Michael Pettigrew / Shutterstock

Jonathan Doyle reports on the challenges facing the United Nations' plans to achieve universal access to safe drinking water around the world, and the progress made so far toward that goal.

The goal, included among 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the UN in 2015, is stated as, "Achieving universal access to water sources that are improved, with a round trip for water collection not exceeding 30 minutes, safe from contamination, and available when needed," with a target date of 2030.

The challenge is daunting. According to data cited by Doyle,  785 million around the world did not have access to basic water services in 2017. About 144 million people were collecting water directly from surface water sources in 2017. Finally, at least 2 billion people get their water from a source contaminated by feces.

For signs of progress on the clean water SDG, Doyle points first to the United States, with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) approved in 1974 and amended in 1996 (unmentioned are the failures of that law to protect the people of Flint, to cite one conspicuous example). At the international level, Doyle points to work by the United Nations and the World Health Organization. But the most significant achievements are credited to NGOs such as World Vision, which claims to have delivered sustainable, clear water to 20 million people as of 2020. Finally, Doyle credits the private sector with achievements in water filtration technologies that are also providing benefits around the world.

[Disclaimer: the end of the article shifts to content marketing for water filtration systems.].

Sunday, June 20, 2021 in Waterdrop

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today