Water resources

Latin America and the Caribbean is home to nearly one third of the world’s freshwater resources. Nevertheless, the region faces high levels of water stress in cities and productive areas, as well as limited access to drinking water: 166 million people still lack safely managed drinking water services, less than 50% of wastewater is adequately treated, and 43% of countries in the region report low levels of Integrated Water Resources Management.To address these challenges, as well as others related to conflicts over water use, ECLAC is promoting a transition towards sustainable and inclusive water management in the region. This transition seeks to guarantee the human right to safely managed drinking water and sanitation; reverse the negative externalities—such as pollution, overexploitation and conflicts—generated by current water management models; and promote circular water management to make better use of water resources and reduce pressure on them.To achieve these goals, ECLAC, working closely with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, promotes the strengthening of evidence-based water governance systems so that they become more robust, transparent and effective.