Clean Water

Clean water is a human right. If we believe that’s true, how is it that one out of every three people worldwide is still unable to access clean water? Is there water that’s clean enough for some groups of people but not for others? And what exactly is “clean” water? We will examine the answers to those questions and others here.

How to Define Clean Water

It is not adequate to only have access to water; people need access to water for drinking and domestic use that is safe — also known as clean water. Clean water is safe water.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is a science organization created by Congress in 1879. The USGS provides impartial information about the state of our ecosystems and environment, threatening natural hazards that jeopardize our lives and livelihoods, and more.

The USGS defines clean, safe water as “water that will not harm you if you come in contact with it.” When we’re talking about clean water, we are often referring to drinking water, but it is also essential that water for all domestic use is clean. Domestic use of water includes water used indoors and outdoors for activities including:

• Drinking
• Food preparation
• Bathing
• Brushing teeth
• Washing dishes
• Washing clothes
• Cleaning the home
• Watering crops
• Swimming