The right to water

Safe drinking water and sanitation are indispensable to sustain life and health. This publication explains “The Right to Water” (RTW), issued by the WHO and three other international organisations in 2003, and elaborates upon State obligations with respect to the right.

The paper indicates that while water has not been explicitly recognised as a self-standing human right in international treaties, international human rights law entails specific obligations related to access to safe drinking water. Still, the following two notes can be demonstrated: 

• the human rights framework does not provide for a right to free water; it is just that water services are to be affordable for all.
• the RTW covers only personal and domestic uses, while it does not cover water for other purposes, such as agriculture and environment.
  

The document discusses the role of private sector in the context of RTW, and finds that while business can contribute positively to the enjoyment of the right, the opposite is also true, for instance through pollution or over-extraction.

Recommendations are that:

• it is necessary to pay attention to the specific situation of individuals and groups, in particular those living in vulnerable situations.
• water should be distributed equitably, giving priority to water for human consumption.
• mechanisms of accountability are crucial for ensuring that states respect their obligations in relation to the right to water.
  

In terms of formulating responsive policies that are consistent with RTW, the development of national strategies is best achieved through coordination with and the participation of all relevant stakeholders. In this framework, the general public and civil society organisations, particularly those representing communities with vulnerable and marginalised members must take part.