Integrated Science Education Journal
Integrated Science Education Journal

an Open Access Journal

SINTA

6.1

Impact

GScholar

18

H-Index

Integrated Science Education Journal

an Open Access Journal

Advancing Sustainable Development Goal 6: Innovations, Challenges, and Pathways for Clean Water and Sanitation

Msafiri Mmamba Jackson ORCID
University of Eastern Africa
Kenya
msmamba66@gmail.com
Amjd Abdallah Omer Alfaki
Sudan University of Science and Technology ROR
Sudan
Share

  • Purpose of the study: The aim of this research is to analyze the global state of clean water and sanitation, identify the main challenges faced, and explore innovative solutions and strategies that can contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6 by 2030.

    Methodology: This study employed a systematic literature review and comparative analysis with secondary data from WHO, UNICEF, and the World Bank. Data collection was conducted through international databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive quantitative analysis and thematic qualitative analysis using a matrix-based instrument.

    Main Findings: Research shows that more than 2.2 billion people still lack access to safe drinking water and 3.4 billion people lack adequate sanitation services, with the greatest disparities occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Innovations such as smart water monitoring, low-cost filtration, rainwater harvesting, and community-based sanitation programs have proven to have significant impact. However, persistent barriers include limited funding, social inequality, climate change, and weak governance.

    Novelty/Originality of this study: This research integrates technological innovation, public health approaches, community participation, and policy frameworks into a comprehensive analysis of clean water and sanitation. Unlike previous research that focused solely on technical or health aspects, this study expands knowledge by mapping multidimensional strategies and providing practical recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders.

  • How to cite

    [1]
    “Advancing Sustainable Development Goal 6: Innovations, Challenges, and Pathways for Clean Water and Sanitation”, In. Sci. Ed. J, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 224–231, Sep. 2025, doi: 10.37251/isej.v6i3.2114.

    More Citation Formats

  • 1911
    Abstract views
    397
    Downloads

    Metrics — Badges

    1. A. N. Angelakis et al., “Water quality and life expectancy: Parallel courses in time,” Water, vol. 13, no. 752, pp. 1–15, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w13060752
    2. L. Anatolia S.M. Exposto, M. Nahak Lino, J. A.C. Quim, M. Juvi Goncalves, and H. Pereira Vicente, “Efforts to improve clean water quality to support community health,” KESANS Int. J. Heal. Sci., vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 236–251, 2021, doi: 10.54543/kesans.v1i3.24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54543/kesans.v1i3.24
    3. P. Bazaanah and R. A. Mothapo, Sustainability of drinking water and sanitation delivery systems in rural communities of the Lepelle Nkumpi Local Municipality, South Africa, vol. 26, no. 6. Springer Netherlands, 2024. doi: 10.1007/s10668-023-03190-4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03190-4
    4. G. M. Shayo, E. Elimbinzi, G. N. Shao, and C. Fabian, “Severity of waterborne diseases in developing countries and the effectiveness of ceramic filters for improving water quality,” Bull. Natl. Res. Cent., vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 1–14, 2023, doi: 10.1186/s42269-023-01088-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-023-01088-9
    5. J. H. Ellwanger, A. Beatriz, V. D. L. Kaminski, and J. María, “Control and prevention of infectious diseases from a One Health perspective,” Genet. Mol. Biol., vol. 44, no. suppl 1, pp. 1–23, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2020-0256
    6. R. A. Kristanti, T. Hadibarata, M. Syafrudin, M. Yılmaz, and S. Abdullah, “Microbiological contaminants in drinking water: Current status and challenges,” 2022, Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/s11270-022-05698-3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-022-05698-3
    7. E. U. Alum, E. I. Obeagu, and O. P. C. Ugwu, “Enhancing quality water, good sanitation, and proper hygiene is the panacea to diarrhea control and the attainment of some related sustainable development goals A review,” Med. (United States), vol. 103, no. 38, p. e39578, 2024, doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000039578. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000039578
    8. R. Suleiman, N. R. G. Danga, and A. Mustapha, “Enhancing environmental sanitation education and capacity building for sustainable development in a depressed economy,” Int. J. Hum. Kinet. Heal. Educ., vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 110–118, 2024.
    9. A. Shrestha et al., “Water, sanitation, and hygiene of nepal: status, challenges, and opportunities,” ACS ES&T Water, vol. 3, no. 6, pp. 1429–1453, Jun. 2023, doi: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00303. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.2c00303
    10. D. Adugna, “Challenges of sanitation in developing counties - Evidenced from a study of fourteen towns, Ethiopia,” Heliyon, vol. 9, no. 1, p. e12932, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e12932. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e12932
    11. O. J. Okesanya et al., “Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices in Africa: exploring the effects on public health and sustainable development plans,” 2024, BioMed Central. doi: 10.1186/s41182-024-00614-3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-024-00614-3
    12. H. Aman, Z. H. Doost, A. W. Hejran, A. D. Mehr, R. Szczepanek, and G. Gilja, “Survey on the challenges for achieving SDG 6 Clean water and sanitation: A global insight,” Knowledge-Based Eng. Sci., vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 21–42, 2024, doi: 10.51526/kbes.2024.5.3.21-42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.51526/kbes.2024.5.3.21-42
    13. C. T. Okoji, O. T. Arowolo, M. C. Okoji, and A. U. Owolabi, “Knowledge and attitude ofoffa residents on clean water and sanitation (SDG Six),” Au J. Bus. Soc. Sci., vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 269–281, 2025.
    14. G. Mujtaba, M. U. H. Shah, A. Hai, M. Daud, and M. Hayat, “A holistic approach to embracing the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-6) towards water security in Pakistan,” J. Water Process Eng., vol. 57, no. November 2023, pp. 1–18, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.104691. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.104691
    15. S. Biswas, M. Adhikary, A. Alam, N. Islam, and R. Roy, “Disparities in access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services and the status of SDG-6 implementation across districts and states in India,” Heliyon, vol. 10, no. 18, pp. 1–17, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37646. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37646
    16. M. S. Javed, U. Nisar, V. S. R. G, S. H. Warsi, M. M. Billah, and E. A. Karkkulainen, “Mapping the disparities between urban and rural areas in the global attainment of sustainable development goals, economic and social aspects of global rural-urban migration,” Educ. Adm. Theory Pract., vol. 30, no. 6, pp. 2065–2076, 2024, doi: 10.53555/kuey.v30i6.5650. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53555/kuey.v30i6.5650
    17. H. K. Fotio and S. M. Nguea, “Access to water and sanitation in Africa: Does globalization matter?,” Int. Econ., vol. 170, no. March, pp. 79–91, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.inteco.2022.02.005. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inteco.2022.02.005
    18. R. I. Dip, Z. M. M. Hossain, A. Hossain, and I. Haque, “Domestic water filtration technologies in Bangladesh: Challenges, innovations and socio-cultural dimensions,” Barind Med. Coll. J., vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 93–99, 2025, doi: 10.70818/bmcj.2025.v011i01.0165. DOI: https://doi.org/10.70818/bmcj.2025.v011i01.0165
    19. M. F. Prescott, M. F. Dobbie, and D. Ramirez-Lovering, “Green infrastructure for sanitation in settlements in the global south: A narrative review of socio-technical systems,” Sustain., vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 1–20, 2021, doi: 10.3390/su13042071. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13042071
    20. T. Yasmin, S. Dhesi, I. Kuznetsova, R. Cooper, S. Krause, and I. Lynch, “A system approach to water, sanitation, and hygiene resilience and sustainability in refugee communities,” Int. J. Water Resour. Dev., vol. 39, no. 5, pp. 691–723, 2023, doi: 10.1080/07900627.2022.2131362. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2022.2131362
    21. N. E. Clarke, C. E. F. Dyer, S. Amaral, G. Tan, and S. V. Nery, “Improving uptake and sustainability of sanitation interventions in timor-leste: A case study,” Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 1–13, 2021, doi: 10.3390/ijerph18031013. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18031013
    22. N. P. Aryani and B. R. Afrida, “The relationship between environmental sanitation and stunting incidence,” J. Ilm. STIKES Yars. Mataram, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 137–145, 2025.
    23. W. Anwar, N. Nurjazuli, and T. Joko, “The relationship household environmental sanitation with incidence of stunting in toddlers: Literature review,” Indones. J. Heal. Promot., vol. 7, no. 10, pp. 2422–2429, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.56338/mppki.v7i10.6050
    24. R. Bain, R. Johnston, F. Mitis, C. Chatterley, and T. Slaymaker, “Establishing sustainable development goal baselines for household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services,” Water (Switzerland), vol. 10, no. 12, pp. 1–19, 2018, doi: 10.3390/w10121711. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w10121711
    25. K. Setty, A. Jiménez, J. Willetts, M. Leifels, and J. Bartram, “Global water, sanitation and hygiene research priorities and learning challenges under sustainable development goal 6,” Dev Policy Rev, vol. 38, no. 1, pp. 64–84, 2020, doi: 10.1111/dpr.12475.Global. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/dpr.12475
    26. A. T. Aborode et al., “Impact of climate change-induced flooding water related diseases and malnutrition in Borno State, Nigeria: A public health crisis,” Environ. Health Insights, vol. 19, pp. 1–11, 2025, doi: 10.1177/11786302251321683. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302251321683
    27. R. K. Mishra, “Fresh water availability and it’s global challenge,” J. Mar. Sci. Res., vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 01–03, 2023, doi: 10.58489/2836-5933/004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58489/2836-5933/004
    28. R. El-Bouayady and H. Radoine, “Urbanization and sustainable urban infrastructure development in Africa,” Environ. Ecol. Res., vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 385–391, 2023, doi: 10.13189/eer.2023.110212. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13189/eer.2023.110212
    29. M. A. Rahaman, A. Kalam, and M. Al-Mamun, “Unplanned urbanization and health risks of Dhaka City in Bangladesh: uncovering the associations between urban environment and public health,” Front. Public Heal., vol. 11, pp. 1–18, 2023, doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1269362. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1269362
    30. H. I. Cheong, A. Lyons, R. Houghton, and A. Majumdar, “Secondary qualitative research methodology using online data within the context of social sciences,” Int. J. Qual. Methods, vol. 22, pp. 1–19, 2023, doi: 10.1177/16094069231180160. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231180160
    31. T. K. Haynes-Brown and M. D. Fetters, “Using joint display as an analytic process: An illustration using bar graphs joint displays from a mixed methods study of how beliefs shape secondary school teachers’ use of technology,” Int. J. Qual. Methods, vol. 20, pp. 1–14, 2021, doi: 10.1177/1609406921993286. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406921993286
    32. T. Justesen, J. Freyberg, and A. N. Ø. Schultz, “Database selection and data gathering methods in systematic reviews of qualitative research regarding diabetes mellitus-an explorative study,” BMC Med. Res. Methodol., vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 1–12, 2021, doi: 10.1186/s12874-021-01281-2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-021-01281-2
    33. S. Almasi, K. Bahaadinbeigy, H. Ahmadi, S. Sohrabei, and R. Rabiei, “Usability evaluation of dashboards: A systematic literature review of tools,” Biomed Res. Int., vol. 2023, 2023, doi: 10.1155/2023/9990933. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/9990933
    34. D. Baye, “Sustainable development goals (SDG) target 6.2 in Ethiopia: Challenges and opportunities,” Open Access Libr. J., vol. 08, no. 05, pp. 1–28, 2021, doi: 10.4236/oalib.1107458. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1107458
    35. WHO and UNICEF, “1 in 4 people globally still lack access to safe drinking water – WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) report,” UNICEF. [Online]. Available: https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/fast-facts-1-4-people-globally-still-lack-access-safe-drinking-water-who-unicef
    36. W. H. Organization, “1 in 4 people globally still lack access to safe drinking water,” WHO. [Online]. Available: https://www.who.int/philippines/news/detail-global/26-08-2025-1-in-4-people-globally-still-lack-access-to-safe-drinking-water---who--unicef?
    37. U. Nations, “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all (SDG 6).” [Online]. Available: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2025/Goal-06/
    38. L. Demoze et al., “Determinants and geographic distribution of unimproved sanitation facilities in sub-Saharan Africa, spatial and multilevel analysis using demographic and health survey (DHS) data,” BMC Public Health, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 1–16, 2025, doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-24184-z. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-24184-z
    39. G. Ssekyanzi, M. J. Ahmad, and K. S. Choi, “Sustainable solutions for mitigating water scarcity in developing countries: A comprehensive review of innovative rainwater storage systems,” Water (Switzerland), vol. 16, no. 17, pp. 1–21, 2024, doi: 10.3390/w16172394. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/w16172394
    40. Z. H. Doost, M. Alsuwaiyan, and Z. M. Yaseen, “Runoff management based water harvesting for better water resources sustainability: A comprehensive review,” Knowledge-Based Eng. Sci., vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 1–45, 2024, doi: 10.51526/kbes.2024.5.1.1-45. DOI: https://doi.org/10.51526/kbes.2024.5.1.1-45
    41. T. T. Praja, D. W. S. Rengganis, D. A. Iryani, and L. Hakim, “Evaluation of community participation in community- based water supply and sanitation programs in Kampung Rantau Jaya Ilir, Central Lampung Regency,” Int. J. Islam. Educ. Res. Multiclturalism, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 673–690, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47006/ijierm.v5i3.265
    42. A. Mustika and I. Kustiani, “Community participation and management performance on the quality of service provision of community-based drinking water and sanitation facilities in Kelawi …,” Lampung Int. J. …, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 22–27, 2022, [Online]. Available: http://lije.eng.unila.ac.id/index.php/ojs/article/view/5
    43. G. Howard et al., “The how tough is WASH framework for assessing the climate resilience of water and sanitation,” npj Clean Water, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 1–10, 2021, doi: 10.1038/s41545-021-00130-5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-021-00130-5
    44. A. Wriege-Bechtold, M. Barjenbruch, C. Sieker, A. Peter-Fröhlich, B. Heinzmann, and B. Lengemann, “Production of energy by co-fermentation with contents from fat separators,” J. Water Clim. Chang., vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 251–257, 2010, doi: 10.2166/wcc.2010.105. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2166/wcc.2010.105
    45. M. Falkenmark and J. Rockström, “Building water resilience in the face of global change: From a blue-only to a green-blue water approach to land-water management,” J. Water Resour. Plan. Manag., vol. 136, no. 6, pp. 606–610, 2010, doi: 10.1061/(asce)wr.1943-5452.0000118. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)WR.1943-5452.0000118
    46. D. Butler et al., “Reliable, resilient and sustainable water management: The Safe & SuRe approach,” Glob. Challenges, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 63–77, 2017, doi: 10.1002/gch2.1010. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.1010
    47. S. Nelson, D. Drabarek, A. Jenkins, J. Negin, and S. Abimbola, “How community participation in water and sanitation interventions impacts human health, WASH infrastructure and service longevity in low-income and middle-income countries: A realist review,” BMJ Open, vol. 11, no. 12, pp. 1–18, 2021, doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053320. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053320
    48. F. R. Nasution and C. Nuraini, “Study on the preparation of regional policy and strategy for drinking water supply system (JAKSTRADA SPAM) Batu Bara Regency,” Int. Conferance Digit. Sci. Eng. Technol. , vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 229–239, 2024, [Online]. Available: https://proceeding.pancabudi.ac.id/index.php/ICDSET/article/view/181
    49. M. Egerer et al., “Urban change as an untapped opportunity for climate adaptation,” npj Urban Sustain., vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 1–9, 2021, doi: 10.1038/s42949-021-00024-y. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42949-021-00024-y
    50. X. Yuan et al., “Impacts of global climate change on agricultural production: A comprehensive review,” Agronomy, vol. 14, no. 7, pp. 1–19, 2024, doi: 10.3390/agronomy14071360. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14071360

Categories