World Water Day, observed yearly on March 22, underscores the critical importance of clean water and sanitation in advancing sustainable development. As outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), access to clean water and sanitation is not just a matter of health and well-being, but a fundamental human right that affects the dignity and survival of millions worldwide.  According to current estimates, 2.2 billion people globally do not have access to safely managed water services (Water.org 2024)  

Water is essential for good health, for economic productivity, for education, and for the empowerment of communities. The ethics of water revolve around its responsible use and preservation. As a vital resource for all life, it’s crucial to ensure equitable access, prevent waste, and protect water sources from pollution. Ethical stewardship of water helps safeguard our planet’s future and supports sustainable living for generations to come. 

Please see some of Springer Nature’s recent publications highlighting the research on clean water and sanitation: 

Books: 

• Water Reuse and Unconventional Water Resources  
• Emerging Pollutants (Open Access) 

Book Series:

• Springer Water 
• The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry 
• Water and Wastewater Management 

Highlighted Articles: 

• Notable shifts beyond pre-industrial streamflow and soil moisture conditions transgress the planetary boundary for freshwater change (Open Access) 
• Enhanced groundwater availability through rainwater harvesting and managed aquifer recharge in arid regions (Open Access)   
• Insights from a comparative GIS-MCDA groundwater vulnerability assessment in a granitic and metasedimentary fractured rock media (Open Access)   

Journal Article Collections：

• Advancing Monitoring and Modeling of Groundwater Risk Across Global Coastal Areas in Changing Climate and Sea Level Rise 
• Advancing Sustainable Solutions at the Water-Energy Nexus: Interdisciplinary Approaches and Technologies 
• Research to address the global sanitation crisis 

Please check out the SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation Hub here for all SDG 6 related information and events.