Water Quality Risk Index (WQRI) for Human Consumption
The Water Quality Risk Index for Human Consumption assesses the risk of waterborne disease occurrence caused by physical, chemical and microbiological qualities of water for human consumption.
The index can assume values ranging from 0% to 100%, where 100% represents the maximum risk associated with water quality. It can be interpreted according to the following scale:
<=5%: No risk.
5.1 – 14%: Low risk.
14.1 – 35%: Medium risk.
31.5 – 80%: High risk.
>80%: Healthwise unfeasible.
Indicator source:
Water Quality Risk Index (WQRI) for Human Consumption in the Sustainable Development Goals
Click on the SDG to reveal more information
6. Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
Clean, accessible water for all is an essential part of the world we want to live in. There is sufficient fresh water on the planet to achieve this. But due to bad economics or poor infrastructure, every year millions of people, most of them children, die from diseases associated with inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene.
Water scarcity, poor water quality and inadequate sanitation negatively impact food security, livelihood choices and educational opportunities for poor families across the world. Drought afflicts some of the world’s poorest countries, worsening hunger and malnutrition.
By 2050, at least one in four people is likely to live in a country affected by chronic or recurring shortages of fresh water.
Related Water Quality Risk Index (WQRI) for Human Consumption Targets
By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations
By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally