The health and wellbeing of people depend on having access to clean water to drink, toilets, and hygiene facilities. Safe water, sanitation, and hygiene systems are not only essential for good health, but they also support livelihoods, education, and human dignity, as well as the development of resilient societies with wholesome surroundings.

Untreated excrement contaminates groundwater and surface waters used for drinking water, irrigation, bathing, and household uses, which can lead to illnesses like diarrhoea. Drinking unclean water also has a negative impact on health.

Whether of anthropogenic (nitrate) or natural (arsenic and fluoride) origin, chemical contamination of water continues to be harmful to human health.