SDG Target

• By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally

Context

Waste discharge or surface runoff from urban, industrial, or agricultural areas can degrade the quality of surface or ground water vital for human needs, ecosystem needs, and business operations. Effluent management is a way of reducing water quality impacts at a system or catchment level. Actions include managing effluent from the source prior to discharge, developing waste treatment and water reclamation systems, protecting affected aquatic ecosystems, supporting water sanitation projects, or providing financial resources for waste treatment. Water quality management may also include water quality rehabilitation, such as river clean-up.