Increased global water access
2012/03/06
Five years ahead of its 2015 international target, the UN has said the international target of halving the number of people who do not have access to safe water has been reached.
Between 1990 and 2010 more than 2 billion people gained access to higher quality drinking water resources, such as pipes and wells. This is 1% higher than the projected target of 88% by 2015. The target was part of the millennium development goal (MDG) number seven.
"Providing sustainable access to improved drinking water sources is one of the most important things we can do to reduce disease," said WHO Director-General Margaret Chan. She went on to say that: “but this achievement today is only the beginning. We must continue to ensure this access remains safe. Otherwise our gains will be in vain."
