Businesses' role on the human right to water

Businesses in water and sanitation need robust tools and guidance to help ensure they provide the best quality services and delivering the human right to water and sanitation.

In some countries, there is a lack of effective regulation and laws that clarify the role of public and private service providers on these human rights, leaving them to have to self-regulate or face extremely difficult operating conditions. Sadly, the effects of a lack of clarity on rules and regulations can be felt most by users.

And considering that SDG6 is not on track, and the growing negative impacts of climate change, there is little time left to wait for governments and authorities to provide the necessary frameworks to help ensure access to water and sanitation for all.

The comments came during a recent webinar held by the HumanRight2Water organisation, about the role of business and the human right to water and sanitation. The webinar was about how tools such as the HumanRight2Water Checklist for Businesses can help private sector organisations.

Criselle Alejandro, Senior Vice-President of Balibago Waterworks, Philippines, presented a case study on how her company works within the frameworks available, and puts the human right to water front and foremost of her business objectives.

Pedro Arrojo, UN Special Rapporteur on the human right to water and sanitation, also presented his views at the webinar.

AquaFed called on him and other leaders in the water sector to clarify the tools they believe are most helpful on the human rights.