Water

Water is a limited resource and a public good fundamental for life and health. The human right to water is indispensible for leading a life in human dignity. It is a prerequisite for the realization of other human rights.                                                                                                                                         CESCR General Comment No. 15 on the right to water

You are entitled to water.

This includes that that you are entitled to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic use. 

The right to water, as General Comment No.15 from the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) outlines, is associated with:

• The right to an adequate standard of living and the highest standard of health; and
• The right to adequate housing and adequate food.

Rural women have rights to water.

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (Article 14(h) outlines that States have responsibility to ensure women are afforded the right to enjoy adequate living conditions, particularly in relation to water supply.

Children have rights to water.

States, as the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 24.2(c) outlines, have responsibilities to take appropriate measures to combat disease and malnutrition through the provision of adequate nutritious foods and clean drinking-water.

Persons with disabilities have rights to water.

States, as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Article 28.2(a) outlines, have responsibilities to take appropriate measures to ensure equal access to clean water services.

Rights to water are protected through a number of differing laws. Please click for more information on:  

What is the right to water?

Water and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

UN Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation

Indigenous Peoples and Water (Australia)

Water Rights in Australia

Convention on the Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (CESCR)  – General Comment No. 15 on Article 11 (right to an adequate standard of living), Article 12 (right to health).

 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) (Article 14, 14(h)

Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) (Article 24. 24.2(c))

ILO Convention (No. 156) concerning Equal Opportunities and Equal Treatment for Men and Women Workers: Workers with Family Responsibilities

UNESCO’s International Expert’s meeting on the Right to Water.

World Water Forum