Water and sanitation supply

GIZ is committed to ensuring that people in all countries can exercise their right to drinking water and sanitation.

1.8 billion women, men and children must drink contaminated water, which is hazardous to their health. Even more people, namely 2.4 billion, live without adequate sanitation - with serious consequences for health and the environment.  Worldwide, 80 percent of wastewater flows untreated into the environment. In addition, the water supply cannot keep pace with the rapid population growth of cities.

Although by 2015 within the framework of the Millennium Development Goals great progress in water supply has been made, clean water in sufficient quantities is still out of reach for billions of people. A sustainable supply of drinking water and sanitation is essential for the health and decent living conditions. Water and sanitation have been recognised as human rights since 2010. In Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations stipulates that by 2030 equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water as well as adequate and equitable sanitation will be achieved for all people.

It is not impossible for everyone to have a functioning drinking water and sanitation system that conforms to human rights. It can succeed if the right framework conditions are created and committed experts implement projects to improve water and sanitation facilities. On behalf of the Federal Government, GIZ is helping to ensure that people in all countries can exercise their right to drinking water and sanitation. GIZ currently advises more than 400 water and sanitation companies in 16 countries worldwide on how to improve their services. Since 2010, almost 46 million people have benefited from a more reliable drinking water supply and over 16 million people have improved their sanitation.