The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a guide on how water utilities, organizations and other stakeholders can plan for safe water supply while promoting equity and social inclusion. The 68-page guidance document highlights the opportunity for water safety plans (WSPs) to contribute to achievement of the SDGs, especially SDG target 6.1 on safe drinking water for all, provided that equity considerations become part of policy, implementation and monitoring. WHO reports that at least 93 countries so far have introduced WSPs, and more are expected to do so.
The guidance document titled, ‘A Guide to Equitable Water Safety Planning: Ensuring No One is Left Behind,’ presents a five-stage process for integrating equity considerations in 1) preparation, 2) system assessment, 3) monitoring, 4) management and communication, and 5) feedback and improvement. Meaningful participation of disadvantaged groups is recommended, as is understanding which groups are able to access water supply, and which are excluded. To view the full article visit the SDG.