Water security for all: SNV's water brochure

This brochure presents SNV’s approach to achieving water security for people and the natural environment. Guided by Sustainable Development Goal 6, it outlines the growing pressures on global water systems, including climate change, pollution, rising demand, and ecosystem degradation. The document explains how water insecurity is not only a technical or environmental issue but also a crisis of governance and equity, affecting billions who lack safe water and sanitation services.

The brochure describes SNV’s holistic strategy, which covers water resource management, WASH, irrigation, and the urban water cycle. It introduces nine system transformation strategies that strengthen governance, improve accountability, expand financial sustainability, promote equitable practices, and support informed investment decisions. SNV’s approach emphasises inclusive and climate resilient solutions, from equitable water resource management to rural WASH services that reduce vulnerability and improve public health.

This resource is intended for development practitioners, policymakers, local governments, donors, and organisations working in water, climate resilience, and sustainable development. It offers a clear overview of the challenges and presents practical, evidence based approaches that help ensure reliable, safe, and equitable water services for all.

To explore SNV's work on strengthening rural water and sanitation systems, you can read more about the Climate Resilient Rural WASH Services approach. This resource explains how SNV supports local governments to improve the reliability, safety, and climate resilience of WASH services in rural areas, helping communities reduce vulnerability to water related risks.

For insights into how SNV promotes fair and sustainable water management across different users and ecosystems, the Equitable Water Resource Management page outlines how governance, data, accountability, and financing are brought together to create more balanced and forward looking water resource systems.

You can also learn more about irrigation as a critical tool for climate adaptation through SNV’s Sustainable Inclusive Irrigation approach. This resource describes how irrigation systems can be developed and managed in a way that supports farmers, protects water resources, and benefits surrounding communities and the environment.

Finally, the Sustainable Urban Water Cycles page provides an overview of how SNV works with cities to improve water supply, sanitation, drainage, waste management, and climate resilience through integrated urban planning and investment.