Water, Sanitation, Hygiene

According to the Centers for Disease Control, global access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and proper hygiene education can reduce illness and death from disease, leading to improved health, poverty reduction, and socio-economic development. However, many countries are challenged to provide these basic necessities to their populations, leaving people at risk for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)-related diseases. Resources available within this theme offer information on providing access to safe water and appropriate sanitation facilities, and introducing sound hygiene behaviors.

Water, Sanitation, Hygiene Resources

A neglected environmental justice issue: indoor plumbing

Publication date:
July 2, 2021
In America, nearly 2 million people lack access to adequate running water and sanitation services, posing serious health and quality of life challenges in thousands of communities. Many Americans without adequate indoor plumbing reside in working class rural areas, especially on indigenous...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States

Lead Pipes and Environmental Justice

Publication date:
July 2, 2021
Maintaining and rebuilding aging water infrastructure across the United States is essential to providing communities with safe drinking water. Regular infrastructure repair work, such as when a water main under the street is repaired, can disturb service lines, which poses an issue when the line is...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States

Drinking Water a Little-Noticed Environmental Justice Problem

Publication date:
July 2, 2021
This article highlights the struggles many rural communities throughout the U.S. have in accessing clean and reliable water for drinking and sanitation. Many small water systems in rural and poor areas struggle to adequately deliver services, maintain pipes, and expand infrastructure; this is...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States

Water Justice

Publication date:
July 9, 2021
Waters in urban and rural areas can be contaminated from a variety of sources, including industrial discharges, automobiles, wastewater, and agricultural use. Polluted water can cause environmental health hazards such as poor water quality and unsafe waters for recreation. Water utilities play a...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States

Water justice: why it matters and how to achieve it

Publication date:
July 9, 2021
Clean water is a vital component of safe, clean, and healthy communities. Despite this, billions of people around the world lack reliable access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. Many communities have been systematically excluded from safe water infrastructures due to racism,...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Global

Flint Water Crisis: Everything You Need to Know

Publication date:
July 9, 2021
Natural Resources Defense Council
Flint, Michigan’s experience with government mismanagement and pollution has propelled it to the forefront of many environmental justice conversations. Flint, a majority black city north of Detroit, experienced dangerous decreases in water quality after policymakers took the city’s water system off...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States

Water Quality Surveillance and Response

Publication date:
July 13, 2021
The EPA Water Security Division has developed a program that provides information, case studies and a framework utilities can use to develop a Water Quality Surveillance and Response System (SRS). An SRS can help improve a utility's ability to monitor source water and distribution system water...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States

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