Drinking water use

SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Goal description
«Clean, accessible water for all is an essential part of the world we want to live in. There is sufficient fresh water on the planet to achieve this. […] Water scarcity, poor water quality and inadequate sanitation negatively impact food security, livelihood choices and educational opportunities for poor families across the world. […]»

Excerpt from Swiss target 6.4: Water supply and appropriate residual flows are ensured […]. Greater cooperation between spatial planning and water protection as well as raising awareness on importance of moderate water consumption are key elements.

Significance of the indicator
The indicator shows the daily consumption of drinking water in litres per person. It covers the consumption of households, small enterprises, industry and commerce, public services and fountains as well as self-consumption of suppliers and losses A reduction in water consumption, therefore, is a step towards sustainable development.

Help for interpretation
Figures on self-supply of households, commerce, industry and agriculture are not recorded regularly and are not considered in this indicator. 

International comparability
It is difficult to obtain an international comparison for this indicator. The definitions and methods of estimation used can vary widely from country to country.