Nearly 2.6 billion people have gained access to clean drinking water in the last 25 years worldwide. This is an achievement! However, it still leaves about 884 million people without. Many live in slums all over the world, and are usually not connected to any safe water supply. This is a global challenge, but it is our overall mission, since the UN-Habitat Agenda has recognized water and sanitation as part of the right to an adequate standard of living.

Access to safe drinking water falls under international human rights law! This obligation requires States to ensure everyone’s access to a sufficient amount of safe drinking water for personal and domestic uses, defined as water for drinking, personal sanitation, washing of clothes, food preparation, and personal and household hygiene. This should be considered in all areas of a city, including the informal settlements. In trying to better the living conditions of millions of slum dwellers, supply for facilities for water must be one of the main topics for the PSUP.