Disclaimer: This page contains content and stories related to the previous 2017 Global Water Strategy and no longer reflects current U.S. government priorities. Please visit 2022 U.S. Global Water Strategy for the current strategy.

2018 Global Water Strategy Stories

REACHING A #WATERSECUREWORLD FOR ALL

Watershed Moments in the Implementation of the U.S. Government Global Water Strategy

Water security is essential for preventing disease, growing economies, and promoting global stability. Yet, three in 10 people lack safe drinking water in their homes worldwide. Many nations suffer from water stress and are threatened by increasingly severe droughts and floods. As resources degrade and become more scarce, conflicts over shared water resources across borders and within nations have the potential to increase.

The U.S. Government believes in a water-secure world, where people and nations have the water they need to be healthy, prosperous, and resilient. That’s why more than 17 agencies and departments—led by the U.S. Department of State and USAID—contributed to the creation of the first U.S. Government Global Water Strategy. To achieve its vision, the U.S. Government works with partner countries and other stakeholders to advance four interrelated strategic objectives that include:

  • Promoting sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation; and adoption of key hygiene behaviors
  • Encouraging the sound management and protection of freshwater resources
  • Reducing conflict by promoting cooperation on shared waters
  • Strengthening water sector governance, financing, and institutions

In celebration of World Water Day 2020, we are sharing progress made by the interagency and partner countries in the first two years of implementing the strategy (from its launch November 2017 through 2019). Scroll to learn more about success, innovations, and lessons learned in working toward a #WaterSecureWorld for all.

The U.S. Government Global Water Strategy

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Key Results

Drinking Water

11.6 million

Number of people gaining access to sustainable drinking water services due to USG assistance in fiscal years 2018 and 2019

USAID

Sanitation

10.6 million

Number of people gaining access to sustainable sanitation services due to USG assistance in fiscal years 2018 and 2019

USAID

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

5

Number of countries that the CDC assisted with waterborne disease emergencies in 2017/2018.

U.S. Centers For Disease Control And Prevention

Interagency Stories

Access to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation

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Water Resources Management

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Cooperation on Shared Waters

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March 2020 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
March 2019 U.S. Department of Agriculture

Governance and Financing

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Executive Branch logo

Mapping Progress

See where the United States is mobilizing its diplomatic, development, and scientific leadership to build a more #WaterSecureWorld

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