Water security for all

Our goal through our work across the water sector is to contribute to water security of all people and the natural world.

The human rights to water, sanitation, and a clean environment are under threat, with 2.3 billion people living in water-stressed countries. Due to economic development, population growth, and rising living standards, demand for water resources has increased eightfold over the past century. Nearly 3.5 billion people lack safe sanitation, and in 2020, only 56% of domestic wastewater was treated safely.

Climate change, growing water demands, and increasing pollution are compelling countries worldwide to adapt their water management, both locally and nationally, and often transboundary. Their challenge is to balance effective and financially viable strategies with ecologically sound and equitable goals.

For SNV, water security is not only an ecological and economic crisis but also a crisis of governance and equity.

Learn more about SNV in water. Download our brochure.

Update

Water for peace, water for health

Zeritu and Zeyneba from the Amhara region are all smiles as they no longer need to draw water from unsafe sources, thanks to an SNV WASH project supported by USAID.
Update

Climate-proofing rural toilets

In construction: climate-resilient toilet in Zambia
Event

SNV at COP29

COP29 logo
Our work in water

Our framework approaches

Climate Resilient Rural WASH Services

The Climate Resilient Rural WASH approach supports local governments to realise the human rights to water, sanitation and hygiene in their jurisdiction, responding to demographic and climatic changes.

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Equitable Water Resource Management

The Equitable Water Resource Management approach contributes to fair and sustainable water management arrangements and outcomes between people, current and future generations, and humans and the environment.

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Sustainable Inclusive Irrigation

The Sustainable Inclusive Irrigation approach contributes to irrigation development and management, balancing environmental, social, and economic needs.

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Sustainable Urban Water Cycles

The Sustainable Urban Water Cycle approach is a holistic, integrated water and waste management approach implemented city-wide.

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Meet our water team

Antoinette Kome

Antoinette Kome

Global Head Water
Jackson Wandera

Jackson Wandera

GTA Rural sanitation and hygiene
Sonja Hofbauer

Sonja Hofbauer

GTA Water Supply
Sandra Ryan

Sandra Ryan

Global Technical Advisor Hydrology
Sharon Roose

Sharon Roose

Senior Advocacy Officer Water
Gabrielle Halcrow

Gabrielle Halcrow

Global Product Coordinator Climate Resilient Rural WASH
Rajeev Munankami

Rajeev Munankami

Global Product Coordinator Sustainable Urban Water Cycles
Anjani Abella

Anjani Abella

Marketing Communications Officer and Publication Lead

Interested to learn more?

Contact our global water team to collaborate, or download SNV's Water sector brochure.