3.4.1. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

Ensuring access to water and sanitation is one of the critical SDG (goal 6) as safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is a basic human need. However, contamination and reclaiming of natural water bodies, overuse of ground water and hindering its replenishment, overall poor management and low investments in water infrastructure are some of the key causes of scarce and unsafe water, and inadequate sanitation.

Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is essential for human health and well-being, represented as one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) set by the United Nations. WASH not only focuses on providing safe drinking water but also emphasizes proper sanitation and hygiene practices. Major challenges that hinder this goal include pollution of water bodies, excessive extraction of groundwater without proper replenishment, mismanaged water resources, and insufficient infrastructure investments. These problems result in insufficient and unsafe water supply and poor sanitation facilities, which can lead to health issues and hinder economic growth.

Imagine a community where the local river, which serves as the primary water source, becomes polluted due to industrial waste. Residents start getting sick more often due to contaminated water, which causes outbreaks of diseases like diarrhoea. This situation illustrates the urgent need for proper WASH interventions to ensure clean water access, proper sanitation, and hygiene to protect health and enhance living conditions.

WASH is a collective term that refers to a set of interventions aimed at improving access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and proper hygiene practices, and is essential for promoting public health, preventing the spread of disease, and reducing poverty. ‘Water’ stands for access to clean drinking water for household and community use, as well as for agriculture, industry, and other economic activities, ‘Sanitation’ implies access to safe and hygienic toilet facilities, as well as the safe disposal of human waste, and ‘Hygiene’ refers to practices that promote good health, such as handwashing with soap, safe food handling, and proper menstrual hygiene management.

WASH encompasses three key components: Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene. 'Water' involves ensuring that clean drinking water is available for households, communities, and various industries. 'Sanitation' pertains to providing access to safe and hygienic toilets and the proper disposal of waste. Lastly, 'Hygiene' emphasizes healthy practices such as washing hands with soap, handling food safely, and maintaining menstrual hygiene. Collectively, these interventions contribute significantly to enhancing public health, reducing disease outbreaks, and assisting in alleviating poverty by improving overall living conditions.

Imagine a family living in a rural area where they have easy access to clean drinking water, a well-maintained toilet, and regularly practice handwashing. This family's health is likely better than that of another family in a similar area lacking these basic facilities. The first family is less prone to waterborne diseases, has better health markers, and leads a productive life, showing how WASH elements directly impact quality of life.

WASH interventions can have significant health and social benefits, particularly for vulnerable populations, especially, women and children. For example, access to safe water and sanitation can reduce the incidence of waterborne diseases, such as, diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid fever. Improved hygiene practices can also reduce the risk of infectious diseases, improve nutritional outcomes, and promote overall well-being. In turn, it is crucial for achieving several other SDGs, particularly those related to health, gender equality, education and economic growth.

Implementing effective WASH initiatives can drastically improve health outcomes, especially for vulnerable populations, such as women and children, who often bear the brunt of inadequate water and sanitation. Access to safe drinking water and sanitation reduces the risk of diseases like diarrhoea and cholera. Additionally, practicing good hygiene—such as proper handwashing—helps to stave off infectious diseases and improves nutrition by preventing disease-related malnutrition. The benefits of WASH are broad, extending beyond health to positively impact education, gender equality, and economic opportunities, thereby aiding in the achievement of multiple SDGs.

Consider a village where women and children must walk long distances to fetch water from a contaminated source. This not only puts them at risk of illness but also keeps children out of school. If a clean water supply and sanitation facilities were provided, children could attend school, and women could engage in economic activities rather than spending the day collecting water. This scenario demonstrates how WASH interventions can enhance education and economic opportunities while improving health.

WASH implementation in India has been a major focus area for the government, NGOs, and international organizations for many years. Some of the initiatives taken by the Indian government to improve WASH include: 1. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Campaign) is a nationwide campaign launched in 2014 to eliminate open defecation, improve solid waste management, and promote hygiene and cleanliness. The campaign has been successful in increasing access to toilets and reducing open defecation. 2. Jal Jeevan Mission, a flagship program launched in 2019 with the aim of providing tap water connections to every rural household by 2024. The program aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water to all households in rural areas. 3. National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDW) launched in 2009 with the aim of providing safe and adequate drinking water to rural areas. The program focuses on creating sustainable drinking water sources, promoting water conservation, and improving water quality. 4. National Urban Sanitation Policy (NUSP) launched in 2008 with the aim of promoting sanitation and hygiene in urban areas. The policy focuses on creating sustainable sanitation infrastructure, promoting behaviour change, and improving waste management.

In India, several national initiatives have been established to promote WASH and improve access to water and sanitation. The 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' campaign focuses on eliminating open defecation and enhancing sanitation and hygiene practices nationwide. 'Jal Jeevan Mission' seeks to provide tap water to every rural household by 2024, which is vital for improving living standards. The 'National Rural Drinking Water Programme' concentrates on sustainable water sources for rural areas, while the 'National Urban Sanitation Policy' aims to enhance urban sanitation infrastructure. These initiatives demonstrate the government's commitment to improving WASH and ultimately public health across the country.

Think of the transformation in a rural village where the Jal Jeevan Mission installed taps in every home, replacing community water fetch points. Families no longer have to travel long distances to collect contaminated water, resulting in healthier children and more time for school work. This real initiative reflects how effective WASH programs can lead to tangible improvements in daily life and overall community health.

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