Access to water

The right to water entitles everyone to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic uses. Water does not have to be provided for free, but at a rate affordable to the most disadvantaged members of society. The water provided has to be of good quality, free from elements that might harm a person’s health, and a minimum quantity of approximately 50–100 litres per person per day. The right to water is a prerequisite for the realisation of other human rights, including the right to the highest attainable standard of health and the rights to adequate housing and food. Currently, of the world population of 6.6 billion, 1.1 billion do not have access to drinking water from improved sources and 2.6 billion lack access to basic sanitation. The lowest access rates are in sub-Saharan Africa (36%) and South Asia (37%). In some countries, such as Afghanistan and Ethiopia, less than 10% of the population has access to adequate sanitation facilities.

Implications for business

Business has an interest in safeguarding and utilising water efficiently and equitably in its own operations, and a responsibility to ensure its activities do not compromise the quality and quantity of water available for local communities and other stakeholders as a result of water pollution or over-use of local resources. Business also has an opportunity as an innovator to explore new territories and markets and as a corporate citizen to act as an educator and provider or supporter of initiatives that improve accessibility and quality of water resources in partnership with governments and civil society.

The following examples were identified through background research:

  • In October 2008, Wal-Mart introduced new environmental and social performance standards for its Chinese stores and suppliers, including a requirement for stores to reduce water usage 50% by 2010.
  • In 2007, Coca-Cola announced a partnership with WWF which aims to “conserve and protect freshwater resources throughout the world,” including through increasing efficiencies in its own operations.
  • In November 2008, General Electric Water and Process Technologies donated two advanced water treatment systems to Dongguang County in China. The treatment systems provide clean drinking water for more than 60,000 residents of Dongguang City and neighbouring villages.
  • In October 2008, one person was killed and many injured during a protest near a bauxite mine 80km from Conakry in Guinea. The mine is owned by Russia's RUSAL. Local residents had been protesting about the lack of access to running water and electricity in the town of Mambia, near the mine.
  • Water Aid estimates that in India around 37.7 million people are affected by waterborne diseases and 1.5 million children die of diarrhoea annually. As a result, 73 million working days are lost each year at an estimated cost of US$600.

Identifying the dilemma

How does a company respect the right to water of local communities who depend on subsistence farming when operating high water consumption production methods in drought-prone areas?

The following have been identified as possible components of this dilemma:

  • Water conservation
  • Consumption
  • Water pollution
  • Community partnerships and investment
  • Recycling and replenishment
  • Provision of privatised water services

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