International (84 definitions)
accessibility
- CESCR, General Comment No. 15 (2002), para. 12(c) [TIER 2]
Accessibility - Economic (Affordability)
Water, and water facilities and services, must be affordable for all. The direct and indirect costs and charges associated with securing water must be affordable, and must not compromise or threaten the realization of other Covenant rights.
- CESCR General Comment No. 15 (2002), Paragraph 12(c)(ii) [TIER 2]
Accessibility - Information
The right to seek, receive and share information about water matters.
- CESCR General Comment No. 15 (2002), Paragraph 12(c)(iv) [TIER 2]
Accessibility - Non-Discrimination
Water and water facilities and services must be accessible to all, including the most vulnerable or marginalized sections of the population, in law and in fact, without discrimination on any of the prohibited grounds.
- CESCR General Comment No. 15 (2002), Paragraph 12(c)(iii) [TIER 2]
Accessibility - Physical
Water and water facilities and services must be accessible within, or in the immediate vicinity, of each household, educational institution and workplace.
- CESCR General Comment No. 15 (2002), Paragraph 12(c)(i) [TIER 2]
Article 11: Right to Adequate Standard of Living
The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions.
- International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), Article 11(1) [TIER 2]
Article 12: Right to Health
The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
- International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), Article 12(1) [TIER 2]
Article 14: Right to Health - Water and Sanitation Component
States shall recognize the right of the child to the enjoyment of the best attainable state of physical, mental and spiritual health. This includes provision of adequate nutrition, safe drinking water, and proper sanitation.
- African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, Article 14 [TIER 2]
availability
The water supply for each person must be sufficient and continuous for personal and domestic uses
- CESCR, General Comment No. 15 (2002), para. 12(a) [TIER 2]
Basic Drinking Water Service
Water from an improved source where collection time does not exceed 30 minutes for a roundtrip including queuing.
- WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) - Drinking Water Service Ladder [TIER 2]
Basic Sanitation Service
Use of an improved sanitation facility that is not shared with other households, but where excreta is not safely managed (disposed of in situ or treated off-site).
- WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) - Sanitation Service Ladder [TIER 2]
Climate Resilience (in WASH context)
The ability of a water or sanitation system or community to quickly and efficiently anticipate, absorb, and recover from the effects of climate change, including both acute shocks (floods, droughts) and chronic stresses (changing rainfall patterns, rising temperatures).
- Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) - Climate-Resilient WASH Definition Paper [TIER 2]
Climate Risk Analysis
Systematic assessment of climate hazards (present and future), exposure of water and sanitation systems to those hazards, and vulnerability of populations dependent on those systems, informing all new infrastructure planning and retrofitting.
- Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) - Climate-Resilient WASH Definition Paper [TIER 2]
Climate-Adaptive Infrastructure
Water and sanitation facilities designed and constructed with adaptive features including source water protection, energy efficiency, disaster preparedness, and flexibility to accommodate changing climate conditions.
- Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) - Climate-Resilient WASH Definition Paper [TIER 2]
Climate-Resilient WASH Services
Water, sanitation and hygiene systems that are designed, built, and operated on the basis of climate risk analysis; that can withstand and recover from climate shocks and stresses; and that ensure continuous, reliable, safe, equitable, and affordable water and sanitation service delivery.
- Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) - Climate-Resilient WASH Definition Paper [TIER 2]
climate-resilient water, sanitation and hygiene services
- Sanitation and Water for All (SWA), Definition of Climate-Resilient WASH (2024) [TIER 2]
Climate-Water Nexus
Water security and access must be understood in the context of climate change impacts, requiring climate-adaptive infrastructure, source protection, and recognition of water’s role in climate resilience.
- Pedro Arrojo-Agudo (Special Rapporteur 2020-present) - Water as Commons [TIER 2]
commodification of water
- Pedro Arrojo Agudo, Special Rapporteur, Report on Commodification and Financialization of Water (A/76/159, 2021) [TIER 2]
Cross-Cutting Criteria
Five additional criteria that ensure human rights principles are integrated into water and sanitation service delivery: non-discrimination, participation, accountability, impact, and sustainability.
- Catarina de Albuquerque (Special Rapporteur 2008-2014) - Normative Framework [TIER 2]
Drinking Water
Water which is intended for human consumption, in all its public, commercial, and private uses (drinking, cooking, food preparation, food processing, domestic hygiene, etc.)
- EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184 [TIER 2]
Dublin Principle 1: Finite and Vulnerable Resource
Fresh water is a finite and vulnerable resource, essential to sustain life, development and the environment.
- Dublin Principles (1992) - International Conference on Water and the Environment [TIER 2]
Dublin Principle 2: Participatory Approach
Water development and management should be based on a participatory approach, involving users, planners and policy-makers at all levels.
- Dublin Principles (1992) - International Conference on Water and the Environment [TIER 2]
Dublin Principle 3: Women’s Central Role
Women play a central part in the provision, management and safeguarding of water.
- Dublin Principles (1992) - International Conference on Water and the Environment [TIER 2]
Dublin Principle 4: Economic Value Recognition
Water has an economic value in all its competing uses and should be recognized as an economic good.
- Dublin Principles (1992) - International Conference on Water and the Environment [TIER 2]
financialization of water
Water management as a financial asset whose value is managed on the financial markets, and in particular on the futures markets, under the speculative logic and strategies that dominate this type of market, with large banks and institutional investors as the main players
- Pedro Arrojo Agudo, Special Rapporteur, Report on Commodification and Financialization of Water (A/76/159, 2021) [TIER 2]
five normative criteria of the right to water and sanitation
- Catarina de Albuquerque, Special Rapporteur, Normative Content of the Right to Water and Sanitation [TIER 2]
Global Problem Statement
Approximately 884 million people lack safe drinking water and 2.6 billion people lack basic sanitation, representing a critical global health and human rights crisis.
- UNGA Resolution 64/292 (2010), Preamble [TIER 2]
hand-washing facility
A device to contain, transport or regulate the flow of water to facilitate handwashing with soap and water in the home
- JMP (WHO/UNICEF), Hand-Washing Facility (SDG 6.2.1b) [TIER 2]
Human Right to Sanitation (Comprehensive Definition)
The right to sanitation entitles everyone to have physical and affordable access to sanitation, in all spheres of life, that is safe, hygienic, secure, and socially and culturally acceptable and that provides privacy and ensures dignity, without discrimination.
- UNGA Resolution 70/169 (2015), Operative Paragraph 1 [TIER 2]
Human Right to Water and Sanitation
Safe and clean drinking water and sanitation are recognized as essential to the full enjoyment of life and all human rights; water and sanitation constitute integral components of the right to an adequate standard of living, the right to health, and other human rights.
- UNGA Resolution 64/292 (2010), Operative Paragraph 1 [TIER 2]
Improved Sanitation Facilities
Facilities that ensure hygienic separation of human excreta from human contact, including flush/pour flush to piped sewer systems, septic tanks, pit latrines with slabs, and composting toilets.
- WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) - Sanitation Service Ladder [TIER 2]
Improved Water Source
Water derived from piped water, boreholes or tubewells, protected dug wells, protected springs, rainwater collection, or packaged/delivered water.
- WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) - Drinking Water Service Ladder [TIER 2]
Intended for Human Consumption
Water supplied as drinking water or used for cooking and food preparation; water used in food and beverage production; water used for domestic hygiene purposes.
- EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, Article 2 [TIER 2]
International Watercourse
A watercourse, parts of which are situated in different States.
- UN Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses, Article 2(b) [TIER 2]
Limited Drinking Water Service
Water from an improved source where collection time exceeds 30 minutes for a roundtrip including queuing.
- WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) - Drinking Water Service Ladder [TIER 2]
Limited Sanitation Service
Use of an improved sanitation facility that is shared with other households.
- WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) - Sanitation Service Ladder [TIER 2]
normative content of human rights to water and sanitation
- OHCHR, Normative Content of Human Rights to Water and Sanitation [TIER 2]
Normative Content of Rights (Expanded Definition)
The human right to water and sanitation encompasses: accessibility, quality, affordability, availability, acceptability, privacy, and dignity.
- Léo Heller (Special Rapporteur 2014-2020) - Human Rights-Based Approach [TIER 2]
Normative Criteria (Core Elements)
The normative content of the human right to water and sanitation comprises five core criteria that all service provision must meet: availability, accessibility, quality/safety, affordability, and acceptability.
- Catarina de Albuquerque (Special Rapporteur 2008-2014) - Normative Framework [TIER 2]
Open Defecation
No sanitation facility, including disposal of human excreta in fields, forests, bushes, bodies of water, or other open spaces.
- WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) - Sanitation Service Ladder [TIER 2]
Personal and Domestic Uses
Drinking, personal sanitation, washing of clothes, food preparation, personal and household hygiene. These constitute the minimal threshold for meeting the right to water.
- CESCR General Comment No. 15 (2002), Paragraph 12(a) [TIER 2]
Progressive Realization
States have an obligation to progressively realize water and sanitation rights through maximum available resources, measured against benchmarks of accessibility, quality, affordability, availability, acceptability, and equal treatment.
- Léo Heller (Special Rapporteur 2014-2020) - Human Rights-Based Approach [TIER 2]
Proper Sanitation
Hygienic sanitation facilities that are accessible to children, provide privacy and dignity, and are culturally appropriate for African communities.
- African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child [TIER 2]
Public Good Definition
Water is a public good that cannot be left to market forces alone; it requires public stewardship, protection from commodification, and governance that prioritizes human needs over commercial profit.
- Pedro Arrojo-Agudo (Special Rapporteur 2020-present) - Water as Commons [TIER 2]
quality
Water must be safe and free from micro-organisms, chemical substances and radiological hazards that constitute a threat to a person’s health
- CESCR, General Comment No. 15 (2002), para. 12(b) [TIER 2]
Quality / Safety
The water required for each personal or domestic use must be safe, therefore free from micro-organisms, chemical substances and radiological hazards that constitute a threat to a person’s health. Water should be of an acceptable colour, odour and taste for each personal or domestic use.
- CESCR General Comment No. 15 (2002), Paragraph 12(b) [TIER 2]
Quality Water
Wholesomely and cleanly produced water meeting microbiological, chemical, and radiological standards specified in the Directive, free from contamination that poses a health risk.
- EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184 [TIER 2]
right to an adequate standard of living
- ICESCR, Article 11 (Right to an Adequate Standard of Living) [TIER 2]
right to sanitation
Everyone is entitled to have physical and affordable access to sanitation, in all spheres of life, that is safe, hygienic, secure, and socially and culturally acceptable and that provides privacy and ensures dignity
- UN General Assembly, Resolution 70/169 (2015), ‘The human right to safe drinking water and sanitation’ [TIER 2]
right to the highest attainable standard of health
- ICESCR, Article 12 (Right to Health) [TIER 2]
right to water and sanitation
The right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right that is essential for the full enjoyment of life and all human rights
- UN General Assembly, Resolution 64/292 (2010), ‘The human right to water and sanitation’ [TIER 2]
safe drinking water
- World Health Organization, Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality (4th edition) [TIER 2]
Safe Drinking Water (Children’s Standard)
Potable water that is safe for human consumption, free from contamination, and accessible to children in household and community settings, particularly in rural and marginalized areas.
- African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child [TIER 2]
safely managed drinking water
Drinking water from an improved water source that is located on premises, available when needed and free from faecal and priority chemical contamination
- JMP (WHO/UNICEF), Safely Managed Drinking Water Service Definition [TIER 2]
Safely Managed Drinking Water (SDG 6.1.1)
Drinking water from an improved water source that is accessible on premises, available when needed, and free from faecal and priority chemical contamination (from arsenic and fluoride).
- WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) - Drinking Water Service Ladder [TIER 2]
safely managed sanitation service
Use of improved facilities that are not shared with other households and where excreta are safely disposed of in situ or transported and treated offsite
- JMP (WHO/UNICEF), Safely Managed Sanitation Service (SDG 6.2.1a) [TIER 2]
Safely Managed Sanitation Services (SDG 6.2.1a)
Excreta from an improved sanitation facility is safely disposed of in situ or removed and treated off-site, and the facility is not shared with other households.
- WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) - Sanitation Service Ladder [TIER 2]
Sanitation: Affordability
Sanitation facilities and services must be affordable for all, without compromising access to other essential services and rights.
- UNGA Resolution 70/169 (2015) [TIER 2]
Sanitation: Cultural Acceptability
Facilities and services must be socially and culturally acceptable, providing privacy and ensuring dignity.
- UNGA Resolution 70/169 (2015) [TIER 2]
Sanitation: Physical Access
Sanitation facilities must be physically available and reachable within safe distances in all spheres of life, including household, workplace, schools, and public spaces.
- UNGA Resolution 70/169 (2015) [TIER 2]
Sanitation: Safety and Hygiene
Facilities must be safe, hygienic, secure, and free from environmental health hazards.
- UNGA Resolution 70/169 (2015) [TIER 2]
Scope - Drinking Water Standard
Safe, clean, accessible and affordable drinking water for all.
- UNGA Resolution 64/292 (2010), Operative Paragraph 1 [TIER 2]
Scope - Sanitation Standard
Safe, clean, accessible and affordable sanitation for all.
- UNGA Resolution 64/292 (2010), Operative Paragraph 1 [TIER 2]
SDG Target 6.1
By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
- SDG 6 - Ensure Access to Water and Sanitation for All [TIER 2]
SDG Target 6.2
By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.
- SDG 6 - Ensure Access to Water and Sanitation for All [TIER 2]
SDG Target 6.3
By 2030, improve water quality and reduce pollution, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, and reduce deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and pollution.
- SDG 6 - Ensure Access to Water and Sanitation for All [TIER 2]
SDG Target 6.4
By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.
- SDG 6 - Ensure Access to Water and Sanitation for All [TIER 2]
Spheres of Life Beyond Household
Water and sanitation rights extend beyond household use to public spaces, schools, workplaces, healthcare facilities, and informal settlements, recognizing that dignity and health require access across all dimensions of daily life.
- Léo Heller (Special Rapporteur 2014-2020) - Human Rights-Based Approach [TIER 2]
Spheres of Life Covered
Sanitation rights apply across all spheres of life, including household, school, workplace, public spaces, and healthcare facilities.
- UNGA Resolution 70/169 (2015) [TIER 2]
State Obligations
States must implement measures to provide safe water and sanitation, particularly to rural and disadvantaged areas, addressing regional disparities and prioritizing vulnerable populations including children.
- African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child [TIER 2]
State Responsibility
The State bears primary responsibility to preserve freshwater resources for essential human uses (drinking, sanitation, food production), preventing private appropriation, speculation, and financial manipulation.
- Pedro Arrojo-Agudo (Special Rapporteur 2020-present) - Water as Commons [TIER 2]
Surface Water
Water directly from a river, dam, lake, pond, stream, canal, or irrigation canal.
- WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) - Drinking Water Service Ladder [TIER 2]
Sustainable Energy in WASH
Water and sanitation service delivery powered by renewable energy sources (solar, wind) ensuring reliable operation under climate impacts while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) - Climate-Resilient WASH Definition Paper [TIER 2]
The Right to Water (Core Definition)
The right to water entitles everyone to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic uses.
- CESCR General Comment No. 15 (2002), Introductory remarks [TIER 2]
three-factor framework for water privatization risks
- Léo Heller, Special Rapporteur, Analysis of Private Water Service Provision [TIER 2]
Underlying Determinants of Health
Include food and nutrition, housing, access to safe and potable water and adequate sanitation, safe and healthy working conditions, and a healthy environment.
- International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), General Comment 14 (Health), implementing Article 12 [TIER 2]
Unimproved Sanitation Facility
Facilities that do not ensure hygienic separation of human excreta from human contact, including pit latrines without slabs, bucket toilets, and hanging latrines.
- WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) - Sanitation Service Ladder [TIER 2]
Unimproved Water Source
Water from an unprotected dug well or unprotected spring.
- WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) - Drinking Water Service Ladder [TIER 2]
water as a finite and vulnerable resource
Fresh water is a finite and vulnerable resource, essential to sustain life, development and the environment
- Dublin Statement on Water and Sustainable Development (1992), Principle 1 [TIER 2]
water as an economic good
Water has an economic value in all its competing uses and should be recognised as an economic good. Past failure to recognise the economic value of water has led to wasteful and environmentally damaging uses of the resource. Managing water as an economic good is an important way of achieving efficient and equitable use, and of encouraging conservation and protection of water resources
- Dublin Statement on Water and Sustainable Development (1992), Principle 4 [TIER 2]
Water as Common Good
Freshwater and aquatic ecosystems are vital common goods essential for human survival, coexistence, and social cohesion. Water must be accessible to all but not appropriable by any single entity or profit-driven interest.
- Pedro Arrojo-Agudo (Special Rapporteur 2020-present) - Water as Commons [TIER 2]
Water Supply
Water delivered through a pipe or container system serving populations in public and private networks, ensuring reliable access to quality water.
- EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184 [TIER 2]
Watercourse
A system of surface waters and ground waters constituting by virtue of their physical relationship a unitary whole and normally flowing into a common terminus.
- UN Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses, Article 2(a) [TIER 2]
Watercourse State
A State in whose territory part of an international watercourse is situated.
- UN Convention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses, Article 2(c) [TIER 2]
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