Right to water

Definition

The right to water is the human right that ensures access to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible, and affordable water for personal and domestic use. This right recognizes that water is essential for life, health, and well-being and connects to broader themes of state obligations to ensure this access progressively and the impact of environmental issues such as climate change on water resources.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The right to water was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2010, affirming that clean drinking water is essential to the realization of all human rights.
2. States are obligated to ensure the availability and accessibility of water, taking steps towards progressive realization depending on their resources and capacities.
3. Water pollution and environmental degradation can severely impact the right to water, especially in vulnerable communities who often face limited alternatives.
4. Climate change poses a significant threat to the right to water by exacerbating droughts and altering rainfall patterns, which can lead to water scarcity.
5. Ensuring the right to water requires not only access but also quality, with states needing to monitor and maintain the safety of drinking water sources.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of progressive realization relate to state obligations regarding the right to water?
  • Progressive realization refers to the obligation of states to take deliberate steps towards achieving the right to water over time, based on available resources. This means that while immediate access may not be possible for all individuals, states must prioritize actions that improve accessibility and quality. States are expected to create policies, allocate funding, and implement programs that work towards universal access, showing commitment over time even if challenges arise.
• In what ways does climate change challenge the fulfillment of the right to water for communities around the world?
  • Climate change introduces various challenges such as increased frequency of droughts, flooding, and changes in precipitation patterns, directly impacting water availability. Vulnerable communities often bear the brunt of these changes, facing heightened risks of water scarcity and contamination. Additionally, climate-related displacement can disrupt traditional sources of clean water, making it harder for affected populations to secure their right to safe drinking water.
• Evaluate the implications of recognizing the right to water as a fundamental human right within global frameworks addressing environmental justice.
  • Recognizing the right to water as a fundamental human right has significant implications for environmental justice by framing access to clean water as a matter of equity and rights. It highlights systemic inequalities where marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by pollution and lack of infrastructure. By integrating this recognition into global frameworks, it strengthens advocacy efforts aimed at holding states accountable for ensuring equitable access and addressing environmental degradation that threatens this essential resource.

Related terms

Human Right to Water and Sanitation: A specific acknowledgment by the United Nations that access to safe drinking water and sanitation is a fundamental human right critical for the realization of other rights.

Water Scarcity: A situation where the demand for water exceeds the available amount during a certain period or when poor quality restricts its use.

Environmental Justice: A movement seeking to address the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by marginalized communities, ensuring equitable access to clean resources like water.