MAKING WATER SAFE FOR ALL: INNOVATIONS, INEQUITIES, AND THE FUTURE OF TREATMENT SYSTEMS

Author : AM Tris Hardyanto

 Abstract

Water is not simply a transparent liquid but a complex medium that often harbours invisible threats, including pathogens, chemicals, and micro-pollutants. Ensuring safe drinking water requires a robust system of treatment, monitoring, and governance that transforms raw water into a safe and potable resource. This article outlines the foundational processes of water treatment, explores the challenges of emerging contaminants, presents case studies of failures and frontiers, and highlights future-ready innovations. It calls for a paradigm shift from reactive treatment toward predictive, decentralized, and equitable systems that address not only technical challenges but also social and environmental justice. Through a multi-disciplinary lens, this article emphasizes the importance of integrating advanced technology, public education, and nature-based solutions to build resilient and sustainable water systems for all.

 

Chapter 1: Foundations of Water Treatment

1.1  From Source to Tap: The Core Treatment Stages

Transforming water from raw sources into safe, drinkable forms involves a series of critical steps, traditionally beginning with screening and coarse filtration. These processes remove debris and large particulates, preparing the water for finer treatments. The following stages—coagulation and flocculation—involve adding coagulants like alum to destabilize particles, which aggregate into flocs. These flocs are subsequently removed through sedimentation, where gravity allows them to settle. Following sedimentation, water undergoes filtration through layers of sand, gravel, or membranes to eliminate residual solids and microbial pathogens. Finally, disinfection using chlorination, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, or ozonation ensures the elimination of remaining harmful microorganisms. Each of these processes plays a specific role in safeguarding public health by progressively eliminating contaminants and reducing the biological and chemical load of the water (Razali et al., 2023; Diharjo et al., 2022).

 

1.2  Innovations in Technology: AOPs, Membranes, and Beyond

 

In response to emerging challenges, water treatment technologies have evolved beyond traditional methods. Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) employ powerful oxidants like hydrogen peroxide and ozone to degrade persistent organic pollutants. Meanwhile, membrane technologies—such as nanofiltration and reverse osmosis—provide high precision in separating contaminants, including pharmaceuticals and PFAS, from water. These technologies offer high efficiency but also pose challenges related to cost, energy consumption, and maintenance (Cardoso et al., 2021; Makhoul et al., 2023). Nevertheless, their integration into water treatment infrastructures has marked a significant leap in our ability to address both known and emerging threats to water safety.

 

1.3  Monitoring and Quality Assurance

 

Real-time monitoring and quality assurance are indispensable in maintaining safe water standards. Parameters such as pH, turbidity, microbial presence, and chemical composition must be consistently measured. Innovations in machine learning and AI now allow predictive modelling and anomaly detection, enabling proactive interventions before issues escalate. For instance, AI systems can anticipate equipment failures or microbial surges, allowing timely maintenance or recalibration of treatment systems (Wang, 2024). This shift from periodic sampling to continuous monitoring ensures compliance with global standards and reduces risks associated with delayed detection.

 1.4  Challenges in Water Treatment

Despite technological advancements, water treatment systems face significant hurdles. Ageing infrastructure, underfunding, and rising levels of complex pollutants strain existing systems. Many low-income regions still lack basic treatment facilities, let alone advanced systems. Furthermore, balancing operational costs with environmental sustainability remains a persistent concern. Energy-intensive processes such as ozonation and membrane filtration, though effective, may not be feasible for wide-scale deployment without strategic investment and innovation (Basri et al., 2020).

Challenges in Water Treatment

Despite technological advancements, water treatment systems face significant hurdles worldwide. Ageing infrastructure, underfunding, and rising levels of complex pollutants continue to strain existing systems. According to the World Bank (2023), global investment needs for water infrastructure are estimated at $6.7 trillion by 2030 and could reach $22.6 trillion by 2050 to meet the demands of growing populations and climate change. The OECD (2022) similarly highlights a persistent annual investment gap of $114 billion for water supply and sanitation globally ([OECD, 2022]

Many low-income regions still lack basic treatment facilities, let alone advanced systems. However, water crises are not limited to developing countries. For example, in Jackson, Mississippi (USA), a high-income country, ageing water infrastructure and underinvestment led to catastrophic system failures in 2022, leaving thousands without safe drinking water for weeks. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, the city of London has faced repeated issues with water shortages and leakage, with over 600 million litres lost daily due to old pipes, prompting urgent calls for infrastructure upgrades ([BBC, 2023]

Furthermore, balancing operational costs with environmental sustainability remains a persistent concern. Energy-intensive processes such as ozonation and membrane filtration, though effective, may not be feasible for wide-scale deployment without strategic investment and innovation (Basri et al., 2020).

 Water treatment challenges are universal, affecting both low- and high-income countries. Massive investment is needed globally to upgrade and maintain water infrastructure, close funding gaps, and ensure resilient, sustainable water systems.

1.5  Future Innovations in Water Treatment

Looking ahead, several promising innovations offer pathways to more sustainable and effective water treatment. Biofiltration using natural materials and microbes present low-energy, cost-effective alternatives. Smart membranes, embedded with responsive materials or graphene-based composites, promise higher selectivity and fouling resistance. Additionally, integration with solar-powered systems and decentralized, modular units enhances the resilience and adaptability of treatment solutions. As these technologies mature, their combination with digital tools and ecological design principles could redefine water treatment for future generations (Deyab et al., 2015; Nguyễn et al., 2021).

 

Chapter 2: Emerging Threats and Paradigm Shifts

2.1 The Rise of Emerging Contaminants

Water treatment systems today must contend with a growing class of pollutants known as emerging contaminants. These include pharmaceutical residues, microplastics, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Unlike conventional pollutants, these substances often exist in trace quantities, making them difficult to detect and remove using standard methods. For example, PFAS compounds are highly persistent and resist degradation, earning them the moniker "forever chemicals" (Gekenidis et al., 2018). Their presence in drinking water has been linked to reproductive harm, developmental delays, and increased cancer risk (Kachalla et al., 2022). Similarly, microplastics can adsorb and transport toxic chemicals, acting as vectors of pollution across aquatic ecosystems (Ghazal et al., 2024). These threats challenge the efficacy of conventional water treatment processes and necessitate more sophisticated, adaptive technologies.

 

2.2 From Linear Treatment to Circular Water Thinking

Traditional water treatment follows a linear model: extract, treat, distribute, and discard. However, this model fails to account for long-term sustainability and resource limitations. The shift to a circular water economy envisions water as a reusable resource within a closed-loop system. Circular practices include the reuse of greywater for non-potable purposes, recovery of nutrients and energy from wastewater, and stormwater harvesting. Technological innovations such as zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) systems and membrane bioreactors are instrumental in this transition. Furthermore, smart water grids integrated with real-time monitoring allow dynamic management of supply and demand, improving resilience and reducing waste (Singh et al., 2023).

 2.3 Reimagining Water Safety Through Predictive Intelligence

A predictive, AI-powered framework redefines how water safety is achieved. Instead of reacting to contamination, smart sensors embedded in water systems continuously monitor quality and environmental conditions. These sensors transmit data to AI algorithms capable of recognizing anomalies and predicting potential failures. In turn, water managers can act preemptively, adjusting chemical dosages or rerouting flow to protect public health. This transformation from static infrastructure to intelligent systems represents a paradigm shift—one that aligns with the principles of Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things (IoT) (Romaniak et al., 2020).

 

2.4 Nature-Based, Low-Energy Solutions

Modern water challenges are not just technical but ecological. Nature-based solutions such as constructed wetlands, riparian buffers, and biochar filtration offer low-energy, regenerative pathways for water purification. These systems mimic natural processes, enabling water to percolate through biologically active media that remove contaminants. Mycoremediation and phytoremediation techniques further expand this toolkit by using fungi and plants to metabolize pollutants. These approaches not only provide clean water but restore ecosystems and enhance biodiversity. When paired with decentralized treatment, nature-based solutions are particularly effective in rural and peri-urban areas where centralized infrastructure is lacking (Thatcher et al., 2022).

 

2.5 Equity and Access: Rethinking Governance and Inclusion

Water safety is not solely a technological issue—it is also deeply political and social. Billions globally lack access to safe drinking water, not due to an absence of treatment methods but because of infrastructural inequities and governance failures. Urban-rural disparities, underfunded utilities, and privatization often exacerbate access issues. To bridge this divide, future water systems must prioritize decentralized, community-based models that empower local stakeholders. Policy reforms must include co-governance strategies, transparent funding mechanisms, and educational initiatives that promote water literacy. Safe water must be reframed not as a service but as a right—equally accessible regardless of geography or income level (UNICEF & WHO, 2019).

 

Chapter 3: Governance, Inequity, and Human Systems

3.1 Global Standards vs. Local Realities

The World Health Organization (WHO) provides comprehensive guidelines for drinking water quality, covering microbial, chemical, and radiological parameters. These standards serve as the benchmark for governments and water utilities worldwide. However, adherence remains inconsistent, especially in low-income and rural regions where financial, infrastructural, and political barriers prevent the implementation of safe water systems (Mahmud et al., 2019). Field studies in refugee camps, such as those in Bangladesh, reveal pervasive microbial contamination in drinking water due to inadequate treatment and monitoring, underscoring the urgent need to bridge this global-local divide (Matsumoto et al., 2019).

The World Health Organization (WHO) provides comprehensive guidelines for drinking water quality, addressing microbial, chemical, and radiological parameters. These standards are intended to serve as global benchmarks for governments and water utilities, ensuring the safety and health of populations worldwide. However, adherence to these standards is often inconsistent, particularly in low-income, rural, and conflict-affected regions, where financial, infrastructural, and political barriers obstruct implementation (Mahmud et al., 2019).

 

 Conflict-Zone Challenges: Gaza and Sudan

 Gaza In conflict zones like Gaza, water governance faces extreme challenges:

·       Over 97% of Gaza's water supply is unfit for human consumption, mainly due to contamination by seawater intrusion and sewage, as well as over-extraction of the coastal aquifer ([UNICEF, 2023](https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/gaza-water-crisis)).

·       Electricity shortages and damaged infrastructure (from recurrent conflict) severely limit the operation of water treatment and desalination plants.

·       According to the WHO, outbreaks of waterborne diseases are common in Gaza, with children especially vulnerable to diarrhoea and other illnesses.

·       Humanitarian agencies have reported that access to safe water can drop to as little as 3 litres per person per day during escalations, far below the WHO minimum standard of 15 litres/day for basic needs.

 

 Sudan Similarly, in Sudan:

·       Ongoing conflict and displacement have left millions without reliable access to safe drinking water. The destruction of infrastructure and insecurity impede both repair and development efforts.

·       In Darfur, and more recently in conflict-affected urban areas, water sources are frequently contaminated due to the breakdown of sanitation services and the use of unprotected wells \

·       In 2023, cholera outbreaks were reported in several regions, directly linked to poor water quality and lack of adequate water treatment.

·       Humanitarian organizations face restricted access and funding shortages, further limiting their ability to ensure water quality monitoring and emergency interventions.

 Broader Implications

These cases from Gaza and Sudan underscore the gap between global standards and local realities, especially in conflict zones. While the WHO guidelines set a clear benchmark, political instability, damaged infrastructure, and resource scarcity make compliance nearly impossible. This results in widespread microbial and chemical contamination, with severe public health consequences.

 

Field studies in refugee camps—such as those in Bangladesh—similarly reveal pervasive microbial contamination due to inadequate treatment and monitoring (Matsumoto et al., 2019). The situations in Gaza and Sudan highlight the urgent need for targeted international support, innovative governance, and resilient infrastructure to bridge the global-local divide in water safety.

The existence of robust global standards for real-world implementation is hampered by local realities, especially in conflict zones. The examples of Gaza and Sudan provide concrete evidence of how war, displacement, and under-resourced governance can lead to catastrophic failures in water safety, far below international benchmarks. This highlights the critical need for context-sensitive solutions and sustained international engagement.

3.2 Policy, Equity, and Human Capital Perspectives Water

governance is deeply intertwined with equity. Urban residents often enjoy piped water treated in centralized facilities, while rural populations depend on informal, often unsafe sources. Policy frameworks frequently neglect these marginalized groups. Furthermore, the "invisible labour" behind water safety—engineers, technicians, and community workers—remains under-recognized and under-resourced. Empowering this workforce with training, equipment, and fair wages is essential to maintaining operational quality and expanding access. Strategic policy reform must include investment in human capital, decentralization of service models, and enforcement mechanisms that prioritize health equity (Conroy-Ben & Crowder, 2020).

3.3 Systemic Gaps in Enforcement and Oversight

Even where policies exist, weak enforcement mechanisms undermine their effectiveness. Many developing countries suffer from fragmented institutions, poor inter-agency coordination, and lack of real-time water quality monitoring. Corruption and political neglect exacerbate the problem. Regulatory failure in places like Flint, Michigan, or Jakarta, Indonesia, illustrates that water safety cannot be guaranteed by legislation alone—it must be actively monitored, enforced, and upheld through participatory governance (Reuben et al., 2022).

 

3.4 Inclusive Governance and Community Participation

Water governance structures have historically been top-down, excluding communities from decision-making processes. However, inclusive models—where users, municipalities, and civil society organizations co-manage water systems—are proving more sustainable and equitable. Participatory budgeting, local water councils, and citizen science initiatives enhance transparency, improve compliance, and build public trust. These models recognize communities not as passive recipients but as active stewards of water resources (IWA, 2022).

 

3.5 Rethinking Water Justice

The notion of water justice encompasses access, affordability, safety, and the equitable distribution of risks and benefits. It demands that policies account for social determinants such as gender, class, ethnicity, and geography. For example, women and girls bear disproportionate burdens in water collection and management in many societies. A rights-based approach to water reframes it as an essential service that must be universally accessible and democratically governed, with special protections for vulnerable populations (UNDP, 2021).

 

Chapter 4: Case Studies – Failures and Frontiers

4.1 The Flint Crisis and Systemic Neglect

The Flint water crisis is one of the most prominent examples of systemic failure in water governance. In 2014, the city of Flint, Michigan, switched its water source from the Detroit system to the Flint River as a cost-saving measure. Due to the lack of corrosion control, lead leached from ageing pipes into the drinking water supply, exposing tens of thousands of residents to hazardous levels of contamination (Reuben et al., 2022). The failure to respond swiftly to public concerns, compounded by institutional denial, resulted in a public health disaster. This crisis highlighted the consequences of austerity-driven decisions, weak regulatory enforcement, and the lack of public engagement in water governance.

4.2 Singapore's NEWater and Urban Innovation

In contrast to Flint, Singapore's NEWater initiative showcases a success story in water reuse and urban water resilience. Faced with limited natural freshwater resources, Singapore invested in high-tech solutions such as microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet disinfection to treat and recycle wastewater into potable water (Roy et al., 2024). The public's initial scepticism was addressed through an intensive education campaign emphasizing safety, transparency, and sustainability. Today, NEWater contributes significantly to the city-state's water supply and demonstrates how centralized planning, public trust, and investment in innovation can overcome water scarcity.

4.3 Reclaiming Nature as Infrastructure

Modern water systems have long prioritized engineered infrastructure—pipes, pumps, and treatment plants—while undervaluing nature's role in hydrological regulation. However, ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, and upstream catchments serve as natural filters, regulating water flow and quality. In Colombia, the Water Fund model compensates upstream communities for protecting forests that serve as key watersheds. Similarly, New York City's investment in protecting the Catskill watershed proved more cost-effective than constructing a new filtration plant (McDonald & Shemie, 2014). These examples illustrate that restoring and preserving nature can serve as resilient and cost-efficient infrastructure.

 

4.4 Global Gaps and Equity Perspectives

Despite successful cases, inequities persist globally. In sub-Saharan Africa, over 400 million people still lack access to basic drinking water services (UNICEF & WHO, 2019). Informal settlements in cities like Nairobi and Mumbai suffer from contaminated supply lines and unreliable delivery. Disparities are also evident in water pricing and service quality, where poorer households often pay more for less. These inequities underscore the need for redistributive policies, decentralized systems, and stronger accountability mechanisms to ensure water access is equitable and inclusive.

Despite notable progress in some regions, deep inequities in water access persist globally. In sub-Saharan Africa, more than 400 million people still lack access to basic drinking water services (UNICEF & WHO, 2019). Urban informal settlements—such as those in Nairobi and Mumbai—are particularly affected, experiencing contaminated supply lines, unreliable delivery, and frequent service interruptions. These challenges are compounded by disparities in water pricing and service quality, where the poorest often pay the most for the least reliable water.

 

 Urban-Rural Disparities: Data from JMP 2022–2024

Recent data from the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) highlights significant urban-rural disparities in both water pricing and service quality:

- Service Quality: 

·       As of 2022, 86% of urban residents globally had access to safely managed drinking water, compared to just 60% of rural residents.

·       In sub-Saharan Africa, only 29% of rural populations had access to safely managed water, versus 56% in urban areas.

·       Rural areas are more likely to rely on unprotected wells, surface water, or distant sources, increasing the risk of contamination and waterborne diseases.

- Water Pricing: 

·       The JMP and affiliated studies report that urban poor households in informal settlements often pay 5–10 times more per litre for water from vendors than wealthier urban residents connected to municipal systems. 

·       In rural areas, while water may be "free" at the point of collection, the time and physical burden (especially for women and children) is substantial, and households may still pay high fees for water delivered by trucks during dry periods.

- Inequities in Service Delivery: 

·       Intermittent supply and poor water quality are more frequently reported in rural and peri-urban areas.

·       In some countries, poorer households spend a much larger share of their income on water than wealthier households, further entrenching poverty and limiting opportunities for health and education.

 Implications and Recommendations

These persistent gaps underscore the need for:

·       Redistributive policies that subsidize water for the poorest and promote cross-subsidization between wealthier and poorer consumers.

·       Decentralized systems (e.g., community-managed water points, small-scale treatment) that can adapt to local contexts and improve reliability.

·       Stronger accountability and regulatory mechanisms to ensure service providers deliver safe, affordable water equitably.

Equitable access to water is not only a matter of infrastructure but also of justice and governance. Addressing these disparities requires targeted investment, inclusive policy frameworks, and community engagement to ensure that no one is left behind.

The latest global monitoring data shows that urban-rural disparities in water access, pricing, and quality remain stark, especially for the poorest and most marginalized. Integrating recent JMP findings highlights that inequality is not just about infrastructure gaps but also about affordability and reliability, making a strong case for policies that prioritize the most vulnerable populations.

 

Chapter 5: Future-Ready Technologies and Approaches

5.1 AI and Smart Monitoring

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping water treatment by offering predictive, data-driven tools that enhance system responsiveness. Through integration with Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, AI enables real-time water quality monitoring, anomaly detection, and predictive maintenance. For instance, sensors can track turbidity, chlorine levels, and microbial indicators, while machine learning algorithms identify trends and forecast potential contamination events. Smart water networks are also capable of automatically adjusting treatment processes based on environmental conditions, thus reducing human error and increasing operational efficiency (Zhong et al., 2022).

Country/            Region	Application Area	AI Functionality	Recent Impact
India	Urban flood warning, water quality	Predictive flood modelling, real-time alerts	Improved evacuation, reduced losses
California, USA	Flood risk irrigation	Forecasting, smart allocation, anomaly detection	Proactive flood response, efficient water use
Netherlands	Flood defence operations	Automated dike floodgate management	Enhanced infrastructure reliability
Bangladesh	Flood forecasting	Early warning via mobile, predictive analytics	Millions receive timely alerts
Singapore	Urban drainage reservoirs	Flash flood prediction, water quality monitoring	Rapid response to water quality/flood events

 

5.2 Next-Generation Membranes and Circular Economy Design

Emerging membrane technologies are revolutionizing filtration processes. Graphene oxide membranes, known for their high permeability and selectivity, allow for efficient removal of nano-sized pollutants, including pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors (Ilić et al., 2019). Hybrid membranes that combine synthetic materials with bioactive compounds offer additional benefits such as self-cleaning properties and enhanced resistance to fouling. Moreover, integrating membrane technologies into circular water systems—where treated wastewater is reused in agriculture, industry, or even potable contexts—aligns with global goals for zero-liquid discharge and sustainable water reuse (Assad et al., 2024).

 

5.3 Decentralized, Modular, and Community-Based Solutions

Decentralized treatment units offer scalable, context-specific solutions for communities lacking access to centralized infrastructure. These systems, which may range from mobile container-based plants to solar-powered filtration kiosks, empower local stakeholders to manage their water resources. Examples include off-grid treatment systems in Vietnam and community-scale membrane units in sub-Saharan Africa. Such models not only increase resilience to natural disasters and infrastructure failures but also promote local ownership, job creation, and faster response to emergencies (Seitzhanova et al., 2024).

 

5.4 Public Education, Engagement, and Empowerment T

technical innovation alone is insufficient if the public remains unaware or sceptical. Water literacy initiatives, such as school programs, citizen science projects, and transparent reporting platforms, help cultivate a more informed and engaged population. For instance, youth-led monitoring programs have successfully influenced water policy by providing credible, community-based data. Building public trust also involves democratizing access to water quality information and encouraging civic participation in decision-making processes (Jutrović et al., 2023).

5.5 Closing Reflections: Democratizing Innovation and Resilience

The future of water safety depends not only on advancing technology but also on restructuring power dynamics. Equitable access to innovation means supporting open-source designs, funding underserved regions, and ensuring women and marginalized groups have a voice in water governance. The shift toward democratized water systems requires cross-sector collaboration between engineers, policymakers, community leaders, and citizens—to co-create locally appropriate solutions that are ecologically sound and socially just. In this way, safe water transitions from being a commodity to a shared societal responsibility.

 

Conclusion

Reframing Water Safety as a Justice Imperative

The journey from raw water to safe, accessible drinking water is not just a technical process; it reflects our societal values. Traditional water treatment methods have laid a vital foundation for public health protection. However, as we face increasing complexities in pollutants, escalating climate risks, and entrenched governance disparities, our approach must evolve. Ensuring access to safe water in the 21st century calls for principles of inclusivity, transparency, adaptability, and ecological stewardship.

Innovations such as AI-based monitoring systems, next-generation membranes, and decentralized treatment units signify critical technological advancements in the water sector. However, the success of these innovations relies heavily on equitable implementation and public empowerment. Building public trust, education, and engagement in modern water strategies is imperative for long-term success. Moreover, the emphasis on nature-based systems and circular design principles serves as a reminder that water safety should be integrated into broader sustainability frameworks, promoting a mindset where water is not merely extracted and treated but regenerated and stewarded responsibly.

The path forward requires democratizing water innovation—investing in local capabilities, amplifying marginalized voices, and redefining governance structures to address the needs of all communities. Only through a holistic, justice-centred lens can we ensure that water safety evolves beyond an exclusive privilege into a universally guaranteed right. The convergence of technological advances, policy reform, and community solidarity will ultimately determine whether the promise of safe water becomes a reachable reality for all or if it remains an elusive ideal.

The globally relevant conclusion that synthesizes your points integrates current global perspectives and ends with a compelling call to action aligned with the UN 2030 SDG goals, climate resilience, and the One Health approach:

 

Towards a Just and Resilient Water Future

Technological innovation is advancing rapidly: AI-driven monitoring, next-generation filtration membranes, and decentralized treatment units are redefining what is possible in water safety and management. However, these breakthroughs will only fulfil their promise if they are implemented equitably, with a focus on empowering communities, especially those historically marginalized or underserved. Building public trust, fostering education, and ensuring meaningful participation must be at the heart of all modern water strategies.

At the same time, nature-based solutions and circular water systems remind us that proper water security is inseparable from ecological stewardship. Water must not be seen as a resource to be extracted and discarded but as a vital element to be regenerated, shared, and protected within the broader context of planetary health.

The Path Forward

To realize universal access to safe water, we must democratize water innovation—investing in local expertise, amplifying the voices of the vulnerable, and reforming governance structures to be more inclusive and responsive. This holistic, justice-centred approach ensures that water safety becomes a guaranteed right for all, not a privilege for the few.

 

 A Call to Action

As we approach 2030, the world stands at a critical juncture. Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—especially SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)—requires urgent, coordinated action that bridges technology, policy, and community solidarity. We must:

• Integrate water safety into climate resilience strategies, recognizing that water security underpins food production, disaster risk reduction, and adaptation to extreme weather.
• Adopt the One Health framework, acknowledging the deep interconnections between human health, animal health, and ecosystem well-being and ensuring that water management supports all three.
• Champion inclusive, transparent decision-making so that all communities have a voice in shaping their water futures.

Let us seize this moment to redefine water stewardship for a changing world—investing in solutions that are innovative, inclusive, and sustainable. Only through collective commitment and global solidarity can we ensure that the promise of safe water becomes a reality for every person, everywhere, safeguarding both people and the planet for generations to come.

Together, let us make safe water a universal right—resilient, just, and central to a healthy future for all.

 

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