🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 72 (from laksa057)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa072.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.weforum.org/stories/2022/11/singapore-wastewater-recycling-water-stressed/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.weforum.org/stories/2022/11/singapore-wastewater-recycling-water-stressed/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/2022\/11\/singapore-wastewater-recycling-water-stressed\/","crawl_time":1776290589,"first_indexed_time":1730270019,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"org,weforum!www,\/stories\/2022\/11\/singapore-wastewater-recycling-water-stressed\/ s443","src_root_hash":"9746262333957051272","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"How is Singapore recycling wastewater to make it drinkable? | World Economic Forum","meta_descriptions":["Singapore is recycling wastewater so it’s clean enough to drink. Other countries need water solutions too, as climate change leaves more facing shortages."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Good enough to drink ... Singapore is recycling its wastewater.\nImage: Unsplash\/naja_bertolt_jensen\nListen to the article\nSingapore is recycling its wastewater so it’s clean enough to drink.\nThe island state is one of the most water-stressed places in the world.\nClimate change is leaving a growing list of countries facing water challenges.\nThere’s no single solution to this, but the World Bank says smart investment in clean water and sanitation solutions can help.\nSingapore is taking the “waste” out of its wastewater by turning sewage into safe, clean drinking water using an advanced filtration and treatment system.\nThe\nChangi Water Reclamation Plant\nforms the core of the system, with capacity to treat up to 900 million litres of wastewater daily – roughly equivalent to the water held by 350 Olympic swimming pools.\n0 seconds of 3 minutes, 4 seconds\nVolume 90%\nPress shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts\n00:00\n00:00\n03:04\nLand is in short supply in Singapore, because it is an island state, so much of the treatment system operates below ground. It reaches as far as 25 stories deep in places through an expansive network of tunnels, pipes, tanks, filtration equipment and other infrastructure.\nWastewater from sewers arrives at the plant through 48 kilometres of connected tunnels, where it is filtered and pumped to the surface. Bacteria, viruses and other impurities are then removed, first using a high-tech filtration system, then using ultraviolet rays to disinfect the water. The result is known as\n“NEWater”, which is clean, safe and drinkable\n.\nOnce treated, the water is used extensively by industries like the island’s large microchip manufacturing sector, which is heavily water dependent. It’s also put to work in the cooling systems that regulate temperatures in the numerous tall buildings that dominate the skyline –\ntemperatures in Singapore are rising at twice the rate of the world average\n. And some treated water is used to top up reservoirs of drinking water, which can evaporate in the intense heat of the dry season.\nClimate change is increasing the number and intensity of extreme weather events like droughts.\nImage: REUTERS\/Monicah Mwangi\nWater stress: A global challenge\nAlmost a quarter of the global population has no access to safe drinking water.\nImage: Our World in Data\nMore than 25% of the global population already has no access to safely managed drinking water, as defined by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Think about that percentage for a second – that’s one in every four people.\nWater access for all\nThe threat of water stress differs between regions and national income levels. While 98% of people living in high-income countries have access to a safe, uncontaminated supply of water on tap, this figure drops to 30% in Sub-Saharan Africa. And in low-income countries, almost 6% of people depend solely on surface water to drink – that’s any body of water above ground, including streams, rivers and lakes.\nAn\nestimated 2 billion people – 26% of the global population – live in water-stressed countries\n, according to UN Water.\nUN Sustainable Development Goal 6 aims to ensure\naccess to safe drinking water and sanitation for all by 2030\n. While progress is being made, more action is needed as the world is not on track to achieve this goal.\nIt’s important to recognize that there is no single solution to the differing challenges facing water-stressed countries.\nDiscover\nWhat is the Forum doing to address the global water challenge?\nHigh-tech water treatment systems like the one in Singapore can help in some developed countries, but these methods may not be suitable or affordable for many developing nations. The World Bank says there is a need for\nsmart investment in clean water and sanitation solutions\nto help plug the gaps in global access to these essential resources.\nHave you read?\nScaling up water reuse: Why recycling our wastewater makes sense\nThe US must rethink how it uses and reuses wastewater\nThese Dutch cities are using the circular economy to conserve water\nAccept our marketing cookies to access this content.\nThese cookies are currently disabled in your browser.\nDon't miss any update on this topic\nCreate a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses.\nSign up for free\nLicense and Republishing\nWorld Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.\nThe views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.\nForum Stories\nnewsletter\nBringing you weekly curated insights and analysis on the global issues that matter.\nMore on\nClimate Action and Waste Reduction\nSee all\nJeremy Jurgens\nNovember 13, 2025\nMin HU\nNovember 13, 2025\nNov 13, 2025\nAlejandra Castro, Cassio Ferreira, Ana Gonzalez Pelaez and Nathanial Matthews\nNovember 11, 2025\nSha Song, Wee Kean Fong and Laia Barbarà\nNovember 11, 2025","attrs_markdown":"[Climate Action and Waste Reduction](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/climate-action\/)\n\n# Singapore is leading the way in recycling wastewater. What can it teach the rest of the world?\nNov 30, 2022\n\n![Waste in ocean water](https:\/\/assets.weforum.org\/article\/image\/VF8l1g8tMWgups_eM8aQlOP2htW2bK2pqWQNiHh0AI0.jpg)\n\nGood enough to drink ... Singapore is recycling its wastewater.\n\nImage: Unsplash\/naja\\_bertolt\\_jensen\n\n##### [Johnny Wood](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/authors\/johnny-wood\/)\nWriter, Forum Agenda\n##### Share:\n[Our Impact What's the World Economic Forum doing to *accelerate action on Climate Action and Waste Reduction ?*](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/impact\/investing-in-trees\/)\n\n[The Big Picture Explore and monitor how Climate Crisis is affecting economies, industries and global issues](https:\/\/intelligence.weforum.org\/topics\/a1Gb0000000LHVfEAO?tab=publications)\n\n##### Stay up to date:\n#### Singapore\nFollow\n\nThis article is part of: [Centre for Urban Transformation](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/centres\/centre-for-urban-transformation\/)\n\nListen to the article\n\n- Singapore is recycling its wastewater so it’s clean enough to drink.\n- The island state is one of the most water-stressed places in the world.\n- Climate change is leaving a growing list of countries facing water challenges.\n- There’s no single solution to this, but the World Bank says smart investment in clean water and sanitation solutions can help.\n\nSingapore is taking the “waste” out of its wastewater by turning sewage into safe, clean drinking water using an advanced filtration and treatment system.\n\nThe [Changi Water Reclamation Plant](https:\/\/www.pub.gov.sg\/dtss\/Pages\/ChangiWaterReclamationPlant.aspx) forms the core of the system, with capacity to treat up to 900 million litres of wastewater daily – roughly equivalent to the water held by 350 Olympic swimming pools.\n\n0 seconds of 3 minutes, 4 secondsVolume 90%\n\nPress shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts\n\nKeyboard Shortcuts\n\nEnabledDisabled\n\nShortcuts Open\/Close\/ or ?\n\nPlay\/PauseSPACE\n\nIncrease Volume↑\n\nDecrease Volume↓\n\nSeek Forward→\n\nSeek Backward←\n\nCaptions On\/Offc\n\nFullscreen\/Exit Fullscreenf\n\nMute\/Unmutem\n\nDecrease Caption Size\\-\n\nIncrease Caption Size\\+ or =\n\nSeek %0-9\n\nAuto480p\n\n960p\n\n640p\n\n480p\n\n320p\n\nLive\n\n00:00\n\n00:00\n\n03:04\n\nLand is in short supply in Singapore, because it is an island state, so much of the treatment system operates below ground. It reaches as far as 25 stories deep in places through an expansive network of tunnels, pipes, tanks, filtration equipment and other infrastructure.   \n  \nWastewater from sewers arrives at the plant through 48 kilometres of connected tunnels, where it is filtered and pumped to the surface. Bacteria, viruses and other impurities are then removed, first using a high-tech filtration system, then using ultraviolet rays to disinfect the water. The result is known as [“NEWater”, which is clean, safe and drinkable](https:\/\/www.livemint.com\/science\/news\/how-singapore-is-turning-sewage-into-ultra-clean-water-11628564552806.html).   \n  \nOnce treated, the water is used extensively by industries like the island’s large microchip manufacturing sector, which is heavily water dependent. It’s also put to work in the cooling systems that regulate temperatures in the numerous tall buildings that dominate the skyline – [temperatures in Singapore are rising at twice the rate of the world average](https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/features\/2020-02-25\/singapore-has-a-100-billion-plan-for-adapting-to-climate-change). And some treated water is used to top up reservoirs of drinking water, which can evaporate in the intense heat of the dry season.\n\n[![Droughted land](https:\/\/assets.weforum.org\/editor\/JmK-oLILVZF28K8a_gl0cuvYp9NZv6PTlQ4xWxeYLxQ.jpeg)](https:\/\/pictures.reuters.com\/CS.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&VBID=2C0FCIQWDFUEP&SMLS=1&RW=1636&RH=891#\/SearchResult&VBID=2C0FCIQWDFUEP&SMLS=1&RW=1636&RH=891&POPUPPN=47&POPUPIID=2C0FQEJ8RY2VB)\n\nClimate change is increasing the number and intensity of extreme weather events like droughts. Image: REUTERS\/Monicah Mwangi\n\n**Water stress: A global challenge**\n\nDespite being surrounded by seawater, [Singapore is one of the most water-stressed countries in the world](https:\/\/eresources.nlb.gov.sg\/infopedia\/articles\/SIP_2020-02-20_192848.html#:~:text=Singapore%20is%20considered%20to%20be,available%20for%20water%20storage%20facilities.) when it comes to drinking water.  \n  \nWith few freshwater resources of its own and limited land for reservoirs, [the government relies heavily on output from desalination plants](https:\/\/www.pub.gov.sg\/watersupply\/fournationaltaps\/desalinatedwater#:~:text=Currently%2C%20we%20have%20three%20desalination,future%20water%20needs%20by%202060.) and imported drinking water from neighbouring Malaysia.   \n  \nSingapore is one of a growing number of countries facing the threat of water stress. The climate crisis is increasing the number and intensity of extreme weather events like droughts. With the [global population also set to hit 9.9 billion by 2050](https:\/\/sdg.iisd.org\/news\/world-population-to-reach-9-9-billion-by-2050\/), this is putting unsustainable pressure on the planet’s scarce water resources.\n\n[![Share of the population with access to drinking water facilities, 2020](https:\/\/assets.weforum.org\/editor\/0EJL4FnjxGaRPIShB9zlBGGFMalHROAEPYJ5TbRrEmA.jpeg)](https:\/\/ourworldindata.org\/water-access)\n\nAlmost a quarter of the global population has no access to safe drinking water.  Image: Our World in Data\n\nMore than 25% of the global population already has no access to safely managed drinking water, as defined by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Think about that percentage for a second – that’s one in every four people.  \n  \n**Water access for all**\n\nThe threat of water stress differs between regions and national income levels. While 98% of people living in high-income countries have access to a safe, uncontaminated supply of water on tap, this figure drops to 30% in Sub-Saharan Africa. And in low-income countries, almost 6% of people depend solely on surface water to drink – that’s any body of water above ground, including streams, rivers and lakes.   \n  \nAn [estimated 2 billion people – 26% of the global population – live in water-stressed countries](https:\/\/www.unwater.org\/publications\/summary-progress-update-2021-sdg-6-water-and-sanitation-all), according to UN Water.   \n  \nUN Sustainable Development Goal 6 aims to ensure [access to safe drinking water and sanitation for all by 2030](https:\/\/www.unwater.org\/sites\/default\/files\/app\/uploads\/2021\/12\/SDG-6-Summary-Progress-Update-2021_Version-July-2021a.pdf). While progress is being made, more action is needed as the world is not on track to achieve this goal.  \n  \nIt’s important to recognize that there is no single solution to the differing challenges facing water-stressed countries.\n\nDiscover\n\nWhat is the Forum doing to address the global water challenge?\n\nShow more\n\nWater security – both sustainable supply and clean quality – is a critical aspect in ensuring healthy communities. Yet, our world’s water resources are being compromised.\n\nToday, 80% of our wastewater flows untreated back into the environment, while 780 million people still do not have access to an improved water source. By 2030, we may face a 40% global gap between water supply and demand.\n\nThe World Economic Forum’s Water Possible Platform is supporting innovative ideas to address the global water challenge.\n\nAccept our marketing cookies to access this content.\n\nThese cookies are currently disabled in your browser.\n\nAccept cookies\n\nThe Forum supports innovative multi-stakeholder partnerships including the [2030 Water Resources Group](https:\/\/www.2030wrg.org\/), which helps [close the gap between global water demand and supply by 2030](https:\/\/youtu.be\/qb9SNneoN_I) and has since helped facilitate \\$1Billion of investments into water.\n\nOther emerging partnerships include the [50L Home Coalition](https:\/\/50lhome.org\/), which aims to [solve the urban water crisis](https:\/\/www.wbcsd.org\/Programs\/Food-and-Nature\/Water\/Resources\/50L-Home-Coalition), tackling both water security and climate change; and the [Mobilizing Hand Hygiene for All Initiative](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/platforms\/covid-action-platform\/projects\/mobilizing-hand-hygiene-for-all-initiative), formed in response to close the 40% gap of the global population not having access to handwashing services during COVID-19.\n\nWant to join our mission to address the global water challenge? Read more in our [impact story](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/our-impact\/closing-the-water-gap).\n\nHigh-tech water treatment systems like the one in Singapore can help in some developed countries, but these methods may not be suitable or affordable for many developing nations. The World Bank says there is a need for [smart investment in clean water and sanitation solutions](https:\/\/www.worldbank.org\/en\/topic\/water\/overview) to help plug the gaps in global access to these essential resources.\n\n##### Have you read?\n- ##### [Scaling up water reuse: Why recycling our wastewater makes sense](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/2021\/09\/scaling-up-water-reuse-recycling-wastewater\/)\n- ##### [The US must rethink how it uses and reuses wastewater](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/2022\/04\/wastewater-us-circular-rethink\/)\n- ##### [These Dutch cities are using the circular economy to conserve water](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/2021\/08\/water-sustainability-circular-economy-water-stressed-wastewater\/)\n\nAccept our marketing cookies to access this content.\n\nThese cookies are currently disabled in your browser.\n\nAccept cookies\n\n##### Don't miss any update on this topic\nCreate a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses.\n\n[Sign up for free](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/join-us\/individuals)\n\nLicense and Republishing\n\nWorld Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.\n\nThe views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.\n\n##### Related topics:\n[Climate Action and Waste Reduction](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/climate-action\/)\n\n[Urban Transformation](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/urban-transformation\/)\n##### Share:\n\n![World Economic Forum logo](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/a-weekly-logo.svg)\n\n## Forum Stories newsletter\nBringing you weekly curated insights and analysis on the global issues that matter.\n\n[Subscribe today](https:\/\/pub.s6.exacttarget.com\/u1toxyddesm)\n\n### More on Climate Action and Waste Reduction [See all](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/climate-action\/)\n[![](https:\/\/assets.weforum.org\/article\/image\/JPiEQH_lAwjTZNXmxyjabspUSuloI7duUmSRsKRyeYc.jpg)](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/2025\/11\/planet-technologies-helping-restore-balance-frontier-tech\/)\n\n[Planet in focus: The technologies helping restore balance – and other news to watch in frontier tech](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/2025\/11\/planet-technologies-helping-restore-balance-frontier-tech\/)\n\nJeremy Jurgens\n\nNovember 13, 2025\n\n[China’s climate pledge breaks new ground](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/2025\/11\/china-s-climate-pledge-breaks-new-ground\/)\n\nMin HU\n\nNovember 13, 2025\n\n[Sustainable agriculture: lessons from the Brazilian Amazon](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/podcasts\/radio-davos\/episodes\/regenerative-agriculture-brazil-nature-climate\/)\n\nNov 13, 2025\n\n[Iceland just found its first wild mosquitoes. Is climate change to blame?](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/videos\/iceland-just-found-its-first-wild-mosquitoes-is-climate-change-to-blame\/)\n\n[Unlocking nature markets: How environmental credits can power regenerative farming](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/2025\/11\/unlocking-nature-finance-how-biodiversity-credits-can-power-regenerative-farming\/)\n\nAlejandra Castro, Cassio Ferreira, Ana Gonzalez Pelaez and Nathanial Matthews\n\nNovember 11, 2025\n\n[Uniting Asia’s carbon markets: 5 steps for regional integration](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/2025\/11\/uniting-asia-s-carbon-markets-5-steps-for-regional-integration\/)\n\nSha Song, Wee Kean Fong and Laia Barbarà\n\nNovember 11, 2025\n\nAbout us\n\n- [Our mission](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/about\/world-economic-forum\/)\n- [Our Institutional Framework](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/about\/institutional-framework\/)\n- [History](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/about\/history\/)\n- [Leadership and governance](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/about\/leadership-and-governance\/)\n- [Our Impact](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/impact\/)\n\nMore from the Forum\n\n- [Centres](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/centres\/)\n- [Meetings](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/events\/)\n- [Stakeholders](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stakeholders\/)\n- [Forum stories](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/agenda\/)\n- [Press releases](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/press\/)\n- [Picture gallery](https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/worldeconomicforum\/)\n- [Podcasts](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/podcasts\/)\n- [Videos](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/videos\/)\n\nEngage with us\n\n- [Sign in](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/sign-in)\n- [Partner with us](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/partners\/)\n- [Become a member](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/join-us\/)\n- [Sign up for our press releases](https:\/\/weforum.us3.list-manage.com\/subscribe\/?u=6308fe51b420dc9ff3834abc8&id=bf3fa00e64)\n- [Subscribe to our newsletters](https:\/\/mcrp6tl67vypnqsv1739snkkwg4q.pub.sfmc-content.com\/u1toxyddesm)\n- [Contact us](https:\/\/wefglobal.eu.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_af38noL8hELk7ie)\n\nQuick links\n\n- [Sustainability at the Forum](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/sustainability-world-economic-forum\/)\n- [Careers](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/forum-careers\/)\n\nLanguage editions\n\n- [EN▪](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/)\n- [ES▪](https:\/\/es.weforum.org\/)\n- [中文▪](https:\/\/cn.weforum.org\/)\n- [日本語](https:\/\/jp.weforum.org\/)\n\n[Privacy Policy & Terms of Service](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/about\/privacy-and-terms-of-use)\n\n[Sitemap](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/sitemap\/)\n\n© 2026 World Economic Forum\n\n[EN]()[ES](https:\/\/es.weforum.org\/stories\/)[中文](https:\/\/cn.weforum.org\/stories\/)[日本語](https:\/\/jp.weforum.org\/stories\/)\n\nRemove menu","attrs_readable_markdown":"![Waste in ocean water](https:\/\/assets.weforum.org\/article\/image\/VF8l1g8tMWgups_eM8aQlOP2htW2bK2pqWQNiHh0AI0.jpg)\n\nGood enough to drink ... Singapore is recycling its wastewater.\n\nImage: Unsplash\/naja\\_bertolt\\_jensen\n\nListen to the article\n\n- Singapore is recycling its wastewater so it’s clean enough to drink.\n- The island state is one of the most water-stressed places in the world.\n- Climate change is leaving a growing list of countries facing water challenges.\n- There’s no single solution to this, but the World Bank says smart investment in clean water and sanitation solutions can help.\n\nSingapore is taking the “waste” out of its wastewater by turning sewage into safe, clean drinking water using an advanced filtration and treatment system.\n\nThe [Changi Water Reclamation Plant](https:\/\/www.pub.gov.sg\/dtss\/Pages\/ChangiWaterReclamationPlant.aspx) forms the core of the system, with capacity to treat up to 900 million litres of wastewater daily – roughly equivalent to the water held by 350 Olympic swimming pools.\n\n0 seconds of 3 minutes, 4 secondsVolume 90%\n\nPress shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts\n\n00:00\n\n00:00\n\n03:04\n\nLand is in short supply in Singapore, because it is an island state, so much of the treatment system operates below ground. It reaches as far as 25 stories deep in places through an expansive network of tunnels, pipes, tanks, filtration equipment and other infrastructure.\n\nWastewater from sewers arrives at the plant through 48 kilometres of connected tunnels, where it is filtered and pumped to the surface. Bacteria, viruses and other impurities are then removed, first using a high-tech filtration system, then using ultraviolet rays to disinfect the water. The result is known as [“NEWater”, which is clean, safe and drinkable](https:\/\/www.livemint.com\/science\/news\/how-singapore-is-turning-sewage-into-ultra-clean-water-11628564552806.html).\n\nOnce treated, the water is used extensively by industries like the island’s large microchip manufacturing sector, which is heavily water dependent. It’s also put to work in the cooling systems that regulate temperatures in the numerous tall buildings that dominate the skyline – [temperatures in Singapore are rising at twice the rate of the world average](https:\/\/www.bloomberg.com\/news\/features\/2020-02-25\/singapore-has-a-100-billion-plan-for-adapting-to-climate-change). And some treated water is used to top up reservoirs of drinking water, which can evaporate in the intense heat of the dry season.\n\n[![Droughted land](https:\/\/assets.weforum.org\/editor\/JmK-oLILVZF28K8a_gl0cuvYp9NZv6PTlQ4xWxeYLxQ.jpeg)](https:\/\/pictures.reuters.com\/CS.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&VBID=2C0FCIQWDFUEP&SMLS=1&RW=1636&RH=891#\/SearchResult&VBID=2C0FCIQWDFUEP&SMLS=1&RW=1636&RH=891&POPUPPN=47&POPUPIID=2C0FQEJ8RY2VB)\n\nClimate change is increasing the number and intensity of extreme weather events like droughts. Image: REUTERS\/Monicah Mwangi\n\n**Water stress: A global challenge**\n\n[![Share of the population with access to drinking water facilities, 2020](https:\/\/assets.weforum.org\/editor\/0EJL4FnjxGaRPIShB9zlBGGFMalHROAEPYJ5TbRrEmA.jpeg)](https:\/\/ourworldindata.org\/water-access)\n\nAlmost a quarter of the global population has no access to safe drinking water.  Image: Our World in Data\n\nMore than 25% of the global population already has no access to safely managed drinking water, as defined by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Think about that percentage for a second – that’s one in every four people.\n\n**Water access for all**\n\nThe threat of water stress differs between regions and national income levels. While 98% of people living in high-income countries have access to a safe, uncontaminated supply of water on tap, this figure drops to 30% in Sub-Saharan Africa. And in low-income countries, almost 6% of people depend solely on surface water to drink – that’s any body of water above ground, including streams, rivers and lakes.\n\nAn [estimated 2 billion people – 26% of the global population – live in water-stressed countries](https:\/\/www.unwater.org\/publications\/summary-progress-update-2021-sdg-6-water-and-sanitation-all), according to UN Water.\n\nUN Sustainable Development Goal 6 aims to ensure [access to safe drinking water and sanitation for all by 2030](https:\/\/www.unwater.org\/sites\/default\/files\/app\/uploads\/2021\/12\/SDG-6-Summary-Progress-Update-2021_Version-July-2021a.pdf). While progress is being made, more action is needed as the world is not on track to achieve this goal.\n\nIt’s important to recognize that there is no single solution to the differing challenges facing water-stressed countries.\n\nDiscover\n\nWhat is the Forum doing to address the global water challenge?\n\nHigh-tech water treatment systems like the one in Singapore can help in some developed countries, but these methods may not be suitable or affordable for many developing nations. The World Bank says there is a need for [smart investment in clean water and sanitation solutions](https:\/\/www.worldbank.org\/en\/topic\/water\/overview) to help plug the gaps in global access to these essential resources.\n\n##### Have you read?\n- ##### [Scaling up water reuse: Why recycling our wastewater makes sense](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/2021\/09\/scaling-up-water-reuse-recycling-wastewater\/)\n- ##### [The US must rethink how it uses and reuses wastewater](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/2022\/04\/wastewater-us-circular-rethink\/)\n- ##### [These Dutch cities are using the circular economy to conserve water](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/2021\/08\/water-sustainability-circular-economy-water-stressed-wastewater\/)\n\nAccept our marketing cookies to access this content.\n\nThese cookies are currently disabled in your browser.\n\n##### Don't miss any update on this topic\nCreate a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses.\n\n[Sign up for free](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/join-us\/individuals)\n\nLicense and Republishing\n\nWorld Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.\n\nThe views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.\n\n![World Economic Forum logo](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/a-weekly-logo.svg)\n\n## Forum Stories newsletter\nBringing you weekly curated insights and analysis on the global issues that matter.\n\n### More on Climate Action and Waste Reduction [See all](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/climate-action\/)\n[![](https:\/\/assets.weforum.org\/article\/image\/JPiEQH_lAwjTZNXmxyjabspUSuloI7duUmSRsKRyeYc.jpg)](https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/2025\/11\/planet-technologies-helping-restore-balance-frontier-tech\/)\n\nJeremy Jurgens\n\nNovember 13, 2025\n\nMin HU\n\nNovember 13, 2025\n\nNov 13, 2025\n\nAlejandra Castro, Cassio Ferreira, Ana Gonzalez Pelaez and Nathanial Matthews\n\nNovember 11, 2025\n\nSha Song, Wee Kean Fong and Laia Barbarà\n\nNovember 11, 2025","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	How is Singapore recycling wastewater to make it drinkable? \| World Economic Forum
Meta Description	Singapore is recycling wastewater so it’s clean enough to drink. Other countries need water solutions too, as climate change leaves more facing shortages.
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Boilerpipe Text	Good enough to drink ... Singapore is recycling its wastewater. Image: Unsplash/naja_bertolt_jensen Listen to the article Singapore is recycling its wastewater so it’s clean enough to drink. The island state is one of the most water-stressed places in the world. Climate change is leaving a growing list of countries facing water challenges. There’s no single solution to this, but the World Bank says smart investment in clean water and sanitation solutions can help. Singapore is taking the “waste” out of its wastewater by turning sewage into safe, clean drinking water using an advanced filtration and treatment system. The Changi Water Reclamation Plant forms the core of the system, with capacity to treat up to 900 million litres of wastewater daily – roughly equivalent to the water held by 350 Olympic swimming pools. 0 seconds of 3 minutes, 4 seconds Volume 90% Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts 00:00 00:00 03:04 Land is in short supply in Singapore, because it is an island state, so much of the treatment system operates below ground. It reaches as far as 25 stories deep in places through an expansive network of tunnels, pipes, tanks, filtration equipment and other infrastructure. Wastewater from sewers arrives at the plant through 48 kilometres of connected tunnels, where it is filtered and pumped to the surface. Bacteria, viruses and other impurities are then removed, first using a high-tech filtration system, then using ultraviolet rays to disinfect the water. The result is known as “NEWater”, which is clean, safe and drinkable . Once treated, the water is used extensively by industries like the island’s large microchip manufacturing sector, which is heavily water dependent. It’s also put to work in the cooling systems that regulate temperatures in the numerous tall buildings that dominate the skyline – temperatures in Singapore are rising at twice the rate of the world average . And some treated water is used to top up reservoirs of drinking water, which can evaporate in the intense heat of the dry season. Climate change is increasing the number and intensity of extreme weather events like droughts. Image: REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi Water stress: A global challenge Almost a quarter of the global population has no access to safe drinking water. Image: Our World in Data More than 25% of the global population already has no access to safely managed drinking water, as defined by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Think about that percentage for a second – that’s one in every four people. Water access for all The threat of water stress differs between regions and national income levels. While 98% of people living in high-income countries have access to a safe, uncontaminated supply of water on tap, this figure drops to 30% in Sub-Saharan Africa. And in low-income countries, almost 6% of people depend solely on surface water to drink – that’s any body of water above ground, including streams, rivers and lakes. An estimated 2 billion people – 26% of the global population – live in water-stressed countries , according to UN Water. UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 aims to ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation for all by 2030 . While progress is being made, more action is needed as the world is not on track to achieve this goal. It’s important to recognize that there is no single solution to the differing challenges facing water-stressed countries. Discover What is the Forum doing to address the global water challenge? High-tech water treatment systems like the one in Singapore can help in some developed countries, but these methods may not be suitable or affordable for many developing nations. The World Bank says there is a need for smart investment in clean water and sanitation solutions to help plug the gaps in global access to these essential resources. Have you read? Scaling up water reuse: Why recycling our wastewater makes sense The US must rethink how it uses and reuses wastewater These Dutch cities are using the circular economy to conserve water Accept our marketing cookies to access this content. These cookies are currently disabled in your browser. Don't miss any update on this topic Create a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses. Sign up for free License and Republishing World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use. The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum. Forum Stories newsletter Bringing you weekly curated insights and analysis on the global issues that matter. More on Climate Action and Waste Reduction See all Jeremy Jurgens November 13, 2025 Min HU November 13, 2025 Nov 13, 2025 Alejandra Castro, Cassio Ferreira, Ana Gonzalez Pelaez and Nathanial Matthews November 11, 2025 Sha Song, Wee Kean Fong and Laia Barbarà November 11, 2025
Markdown	[Climate Action and Waste Reduction](https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/) # Singapore is leading the way in recycling wastewater. What can it teach the rest of the world? Nov 30, 2022 ![Waste in ocean water](https://assets.weforum.org/article/image/VF8l1g8tMWgups_eM8aQlOP2htW2bK2pqWQNiHh0AI0.jpg) Good enough to drink ... Singapore is recycling its wastewater. Image: Unsplash/naja\_bertolt\_jensen ##### [Johnny Wood](https://www.weforum.org/stories/authors/johnny-wood/) Writer, Forum Agenda ##### Share: [Our Impact What's the World Economic Forum doing to accelerate action on Climate Action and Waste Reduction ?](https://www.weforum.org/impact/investing-in-trees/) [The Big Picture Explore and monitor how Climate Crisis is affecting economies, industries and global issues](https://intelligence.weforum.org/topics/a1Gb0000000LHVfEAO?tab=publications) ##### Stay up to date: #### Singapore Follow This article is part of: [Centre for Urban Transformation](https://www.weforum.org/centres/centre-for-urban-transformation/) Listen to the article - Singapore is recycling its wastewater so it’s clean enough to drink. - The island state is one of the most water-stressed places in the world. - Climate change is leaving a growing list of countries facing water challenges. - There’s no single solution to this, but the World Bank says smart investment in clean water and sanitation solutions can help. Singapore is taking the “waste” out of its wastewater by turning sewage into safe, clean drinking water using an advanced filtration and treatment system. The [Changi Water Reclamation Plant](https://www.pub.gov.sg/dtss/Pages/ChangiWaterReclamationPlant.aspx) forms the core of the system, with capacity to treat up to 900 million litres of wastewater daily – roughly equivalent to the water held by 350 Olympic swimming pools. 0 seconds of 3 minutes, 4 secondsVolume 90% Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts Keyboard Shortcuts EnabledDisabled Shortcuts Open/Close/ or ? Play/PauseSPACE Increase Volume↑ Decrease Volume↓ Seek Forward→ Seek Backward← Captions On/Offc Fullscreen/Exit Fullscreenf Mute/Unmutem Decrease Caption Size\- Increase Caption Size\+ or = Seek %0-9 Auto480p 960p 640p 480p 320p Live 00:00 00:00 03:04 Land is in short supply in Singapore, because it is an island state, so much of the treatment system operates below ground. It reaches as far as 25 stories deep in places through an expansive network of tunnels, pipes, tanks, filtration equipment and other infrastructure. Wastewater from sewers arrives at the plant through 48 kilometres of connected tunnels, where it is filtered and pumped to the surface. Bacteria, viruses and other impurities are then removed, first using a high-tech filtration system, then using ultraviolet rays to disinfect the water. The result is known as [“NEWater”, which is clean, safe and drinkable](https://www.livemint.com/science/news/how-singapore-is-turning-sewage-into-ultra-clean-water-11628564552806.html). Once treated, the water is used extensively by industries like the island’s large microchip manufacturing sector, which is heavily water dependent. It’s also put to work in the cooling systems that regulate temperatures in the numerous tall buildings that dominate the skyline – [temperatures in Singapore are rising at twice the rate of the world average](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-02-25/singapore-has-a-100-billion-plan-for-adapting-to-climate-change). And some treated water is used to top up reservoirs of drinking water, which can evaporate in the intense heat of the dry season. [![Droughted land](https://assets.weforum.org/editor/JmK-oLILVZF28K8a_gl0cuvYp9NZv6PTlQ4xWxeYLxQ.jpeg)](https://pictures.reuters.com/CS.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&VBID=2C0FCIQWDFUEP&SMLS=1&RW=1636&RH=891#/SearchResult&VBID=2C0FCIQWDFUEP&SMLS=1&RW=1636&RH=891&POPUPPN=47&POPUPIID=2C0FQEJ8RY2VB) Climate change is increasing the number and intensity of extreme weather events like droughts. Image: REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi Water stress: A global challenge Despite being surrounded by seawater, [Singapore is one of the most water-stressed countries in the world](https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_2020-02-20_192848.html#:~:text=Singapore%20is%20considered%20to%20be,available%20for%20water%20storage%20facilities.) when it comes to drinking water. With few freshwater resources of its own and limited land for reservoirs, [the government relies heavily on output from desalination plants](https://www.pub.gov.sg/watersupply/fournationaltaps/desalinatedwater#:~:text=Currently%2C%20we%20have%20three%20desalination,future%20water%20needs%20by%202060.) and imported drinking water from neighbouring Malaysia. Singapore is one of a growing number of countries facing the threat of water stress. The climate crisis is increasing the number and intensity of extreme weather events like droughts. With the [global population also set to hit 9.9 billion by 2050](https://sdg.iisd.org/news/world-population-to-reach-9-9-billion-by-2050/), this is putting unsustainable pressure on the planet’s scarce water resources. [![Share of the population with access to drinking water facilities, 2020](https://assets.weforum.org/editor/0EJL4FnjxGaRPIShB9zlBGGFMalHROAEPYJ5TbRrEmA.jpeg)](https://ourworldindata.org/water-access) Almost a quarter of the global population has no access to safe drinking water. Image: Our World in Data More than 25% of the global population already has no access to safely managed drinking water, as defined by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Think about that percentage for a second – that’s one in every four people. Water access for all The threat of water stress differs between regions and national income levels. While 98% of people living in high-income countries have access to a safe, uncontaminated supply of water on tap, this figure drops to 30% in Sub-Saharan Africa. And in low-income countries, almost 6% of people depend solely on surface water to drink – that’s any body of water above ground, including streams, rivers and lakes. An [estimated 2 billion people – 26% of the global population – live in water-stressed countries](https://www.unwater.org/publications/summary-progress-update-2021-sdg-6-water-and-sanitation-all), according to UN Water. UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 aims to ensure [access to safe drinking water and sanitation for all by 2030](https://www.unwater.org/sites/default/files/app/uploads/2021/12/SDG-6-Summary-Progress-Update-2021_Version-July-2021a.pdf). While progress is being made, more action is needed as the world is not on track to achieve this goal. It’s important to recognize that there is no single solution to the differing challenges facing water-stressed countries. Discover What is the Forum doing to address the global water challenge? Show more Water security – both sustainable supply and clean quality – is a critical aspect in ensuring healthy communities. Yet, our world’s water resources are being compromised. Today, 80% of our wastewater flows untreated back into the environment, while 780 million people still do not have access to an improved water source. By 2030, we may face a 40% global gap between water supply and demand. The World Economic Forum’s Water Possible Platform is supporting innovative ideas to address the global water challenge. Accept our marketing cookies to access this content. These cookies are currently disabled in your browser. Accept cookies The Forum supports innovative multi-stakeholder partnerships including the [2030 Water Resources Group](https://www.2030wrg.org/), which helps [close the gap between global water demand and supply by 2030](https://youtu.be/qb9SNneoN_I) and has since helped facilitate \$1Billion of investments into water. Other emerging partnerships include the [50L Home Coalition](https://50lhome.org/), which aims to [solve the urban water crisis](https://www.wbcsd.org/Programs/Food-and-Nature/Water/Resources/50L-Home-Coalition), tackling both water security and climate change; and the [Mobilizing Hand Hygiene for All Initiative](https://www.weforum.org/platforms/covid-action-platform/projects/mobilizing-hand-hygiene-for-all-initiative), formed in response to close the 40% gap of the global population not having access to handwashing services during COVID-19. Want to join our mission to address the global water challenge? Read more in our [impact story](https://www.weforum.org/our-impact/closing-the-water-gap). High-tech water treatment systems like the one in Singapore can help in some developed countries, but these methods may not be suitable or affordable for many developing nations. The World Bank says there is a need for [smart investment in clean water and sanitation solutions](https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/water/overview) to help plug the gaps in global access to these essential resources. ##### Have you read? - ##### [Scaling up water reuse: Why recycling our wastewater makes sense](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2021/09/scaling-up-water-reuse-recycling-wastewater/) - ##### [The US must rethink how it uses and reuses wastewater](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2022/04/wastewater-us-circular-rethink/) - ##### [These Dutch cities are using the circular economy to conserve water](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2021/08/water-sustainability-circular-economy-water-stressed-wastewater/) Accept our marketing cookies to access this content. These cookies are currently disabled in your browser. Accept cookies ##### Don't miss any update on this topic Create a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses. [Sign up for free](https://www.weforum.org/join-us/individuals) License and Republishing World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use. The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum. ##### Related topics: [Climate Action and Waste Reduction](https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/) [Urban Transformation](https://www.weforum.org/stories/urban-transformation/) ##### Share: ![World Economic Forum logo](https://www.weforum.org/a-weekly-logo.svg) ## Forum Stories newsletter Bringing you weekly curated insights and analysis on the global issues that matter. [Subscribe today](https://pub.s6.exacttarget.com/u1toxyddesm) ### More on Climate Action and Waste Reduction [See all](https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/) [![](https://assets.weforum.org/article/image/JPiEQH_lAwjTZNXmxyjabspUSuloI7duUmSRsKRyeYc.jpg)](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/11/planet-technologies-helping-restore-balance-frontier-tech/) [Planet in focus: The technologies helping restore balance – and other news to watch in frontier tech](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/11/planet-technologies-helping-restore-balance-frontier-tech/) Jeremy Jurgens November 13, 2025 [China’s climate pledge breaks new ground](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/11/china-s-climate-pledge-breaks-new-ground/) Min HU November 13, 2025 [Sustainable agriculture: lessons from the Brazilian Amazon](https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/regenerative-agriculture-brazil-nature-climate/) Nov 13, 2025 [Iceland just found its first wild mosquitoes. Is climate change to blame?](https://www.weforum.org/videos/iceland-just-found-its-first-wild-mosquitoes-is-climate-change-to-blame/) [Unlocking nature markets: How environmental credits can power regenerative farming](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/11/unlocking-nature-finance-how-biodiversity-credits-can-power-regenerative-farming/) Alejandra Castro, Cassio Ferreira, Ana Gonzalez Pelaez and Nathanial Matthews November 11, 2025 [Uniting Asia’s carbon markets: 5 steps for regional integration](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/11/uniting-asia-s-carbon-markets-5-steps-for-regional-integration/) Sha Song, Wee Kean Fong and Laia Barbarà November 11, 2025 About us - [Our mission](https://www.weforum.org/about/world-economic-forum/) - [Our Institutional Framework](https://www.weforum.org/about/institutional-framework/) - [History](https://www.weforum.org/about/history/) - [Leadership and governance](https://www.weforum.org/about/leadership-and-governance/) - [Our Impact](https://www.weforum.org/impact/) More from the Forum - [Centres](https://www.weforum.org/centres/) - [Meetings](https://www.weforum.org/events/) - [Stakeholders](https://www.weforum.org/stakeholders/) - [Forum stories](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/) - [Press releases](https://www.weforum.org/press/) - [Picture gallery](https://www.flickr.com/photos/worldeconomicforum/) - [Podcasts](https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/) - [Videos](https://www.weforum.org/videos/) Engage with us - [Sign in](https://www.weforum.org/sign-in) - [Partner with us](https://www.weforum.org/partners/) - [Become a member](https://www.weforum.org/join-us/) - [Sign up for our press releases](https://weforum.us3.list-manage.com/subscribe/?u=6308fe51b420dc9ff3834abc8&id=bf3fa00e64) - [Subscribe to our newsletters](https://mcrp6tl67vypnqsv1739snkkwg4q.pub.sfmc-content.com/u1toxyddesm) - [Contact us](https://wefglobal.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_af38noL8hELk7ie) Quick links - [Sustainability at the Forum](https://www.weforum.org/sustainability-world-economic-forum/) - [Careers](https://www.weforum.org/forum-careers/) Language editions - [EN▪](https://www.weforum.org/) - [ES▪](https://es.weforum.org/) - [中文▪](https://cn.weforum.org/) - [日本語](https://jp.weforum.org/) [Privacy Policy & Terms of Service](https://www.weforum.org/about/privacy-and-terms-of-use) [Sitemap](https://www.weforum.org/sitemap/) © 2026 World Economic Forum [EN]()[ES](https://es.weforum.org/stories/)[中文](https://cn.weforum.org/stories/)[日本語](https://jp.weforum.org/stories/) Remove menu
Readable Markdown	![Waste in ocean water](https://assets.weforum.org/article/image/VF8l1g8tMWgups_eM8aQlOP2htW2bK2pqWQNiHh0AI0.jpg) Good enough to drink ... Singapore is recycling its wastewater. Image: Unsplash/naja\_bertolt\_jensen Listen to the article - Singapore is recycling its wastewater so it’s clean enough to drink. - The island state is one of the most water-stressed places in the world. - Climate change is leaving a growing list of countries facing water challenges. - There’s no single solution to this, but the World Bank says smart investment in clean water and sanitation solutions can help. Singapore is taking the “waste” out of its wastewater by turning sewage into safe, clean drinking water using an advanced filtration and treatment system. The [Changi Water Reclamation Plant](https://www.pub.gov.sg/dtss/Pages/ChangiWaterReclamationPlant.aspx) forms the core of the system, with capacity to treat up to 900 million litres of wastewater daily – roughly equivalent to the water held by 350 Olympic swimming pools. 0 seconds of 3 minutes, 4 secondsVolume 90% Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts 00:00 00:00 03:04 Land is in short supply in Singapore, because it is an island state, so much of the treatment system operates below ground. It reaches as far as 25 stories deep in places through an expansive network of tunnels, pipes, tanks, filtration equipment and other infrastructure. Wastewater from sewers arrives at the plant through 48 kilometres of connected tunnels, where it is filtered and pumped to the surface. Bacteria, viruses and other impurities are then removed, first using a high-tech filtration system, then using ultraviolet rays to disinfect the water. The result is known as [“NEWater”, which is clean, safe and drinkable](https://www.livemint.com/science/news/how-singapore-is-turning-sewage-into-ultra-clean-water-11628564552806.html). Once treated, the water is used extensively by industries like the island’s large microchip manufacturing sector, which is heavily water dependent. It’s also put to work in the cooling systems that regulate temperatures in the numerous tall buildings that dominate the skyline – [temperatures in Singapore are rising at twice the rate of the world average](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-02-25/singapore-has-a-100-billion-plan-for-adapting-to-climate-change). And some treated water is used to top up reservoirs of drinking water, which can evaporate in the intense heat of the dry season. [![Droughted land](https://assets.weforum.org/editor/JmK-oLILVZF28K8a_gl0cuvYp9NZv6PTlQ4xWxeYLxQ.jpeg)](https://pictures.reuters.com/CS.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&VBID=2C0FCIQWDFUEP&SMLS=1&RW=1636&RH=891#/SearchResult&VBID=2C0FCIQWDFUEP&SMLS=1&RW=1636&RH=891&POPUPPN=47&POPUPIID=2C0FQEJ8RY2VB) Climate change is increasing the number and intensity of extreme weather events like droughts. Image: REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi Water stress: A global challenge [![Share of the population with access to drinking water facilities, 2020](https://assets.weforum.org/editor/0EJL4FnjxGaRPIShB9zlBGGFMalHROAEPYJ5TbRrEmA.jpeg)](https://ourworldindata.org/water-access) Almost a quarter of the global population has no access to safe drinking water. Image: Our World in Data More than 25% of the global population already has no access to safely managed drinking water, as defined by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. Think about that percentage for a second – that’s one in every four people. Water access for all The threat of water stress differs between regions and national income levels. While 98% of people living in high-income countries have access to a safe, uncontaminated supply of water on tap, this figure drops to 30% in Sub-Saharan Africa. And in low-income countries, almost 6% of people depend solely on surface water to drink – that’s any body of water above ground, including streams, rivers and lakes. An [estimated 2 billion people – 26% of the global population – live in water-stressed countries](https://www.unwater.org/publications/summary-progress-update-2021-sdg-6-water-and-sanitation-all), according to UN Water. UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 aims to ensure [access to safe drinking water and sanitation for all by 2030](https://www.unwater.org/sites/default/files/app/uploads/2021/12/SDG-6-Summary-Progress-Update-2021_Version-July-2021a.pdf). While progress is being made, more action is needed as the world is not on track to achieve this goal. It’s important to recognize that there is no single solution to the differing challenges facing water-stressed countries. Discover What is the Forum doing to address the global water challenge? High-tech water treatment systems like the one in Singapore can help in some developed countries, but these methods may not be suitable or affordable for many developing nations. The World Bank says there is a need for [smart investment in clean water and sanitation solutions](https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/water/overview) to help plug the gaps in global access to these essential resources. ##### Have you read? - ##### [Scaling up water reuse: Why recycling our wastewater makes sense](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2021/09/scaling-up-water-reuse-recycling-wastewater/) - ##### [The US must rethink how it uses and reuses wastewater](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2022/04/wastewater-us-circular-rethink/) - ##### [These Dutch cities are using the circular economy to conserve water](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2021/08/water-sustainability-circular-economy-water-stressed-wastewater/) Accept our marketing cookies to access this content. These cookies are currently disabled in your browser. ##### Don't miss any update on this topic Create a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses. [Sign up for free](https://www.weforum.org/join-us/individuals) License and Republishing World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use. The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum. ![World Economic Forum logo](https://www.weforum.org/a-weekly-logo.svg) ## Forum Stories newsletter Bringing you weekly curated insights and analysis on the global issues that matter. ### More on Climate Action and Waste Reduction [See all](https://www.weforum.org/stories/climate-action/) [![](https://assets.weforum.org/article/image/JPiEQH_lAwjTZNXmxyjabspUSuloI7duUmSRsKRyeYc.jpg)](https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/11/planet-technologies-helping-restore-balance-frontier-tech/) Jeremy Jurgens November 13, 2025 Min HU November 13, 2025 Nov 13, 2025 Alejandra Castro, Cassio Ferreira, Ana Gonzalez Pelaez and Nathanial Matthews November 11, 2025 Sha Song, Wee Kean Fong and Laia Barbarà November 11, 2025
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