Inadequate Access to Clean and Safe Drinking Water

Despite significant advances in technology and infrastructure, a substantial portion of the global population still lacks reliable access to clean and safe drinking water.

• Population Impact: Globally, 884 million people lack access to clean, affordable water, and 2.2 billion people lack access to safe water within their homes. In India, over 12% of the 1.4 billion population lacks access to safe water, while 60% face acute water shortages. India ranks 120th among 122 countries in WaterAid’s Water Quality Index and the Composite Water Quality Index published by Niti Aayog (Planning Commission).

• Urban and Rural Disparities: Urban areas often grapple with ageing infrastructure that cannot keep up with growing populations, leading to frequent water shortages and compromised water quality. In contrast, rural areas may lack basic water supply infrastructure altogether, forcing residents to rely on unsafe sources.

• Health Implications: Contaminated water sources contribute to the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and dysentery, which are responsible for numerous deaths annually, particularly among children in developing countries.