Having access to safe drinking water is a universally fundamental need and right of every human being. However, presently, around 2.2 billion people are deprived of safely managed drinking water services and around 4.2 billion people do not have access to safe sanitation services1. 88% of the deaths from diarrheal diseases are caused by unsafe drinking water and a lack of hygiene 4. Around 801,000 children under 5 years of age die from diarrhea each year4.
Suez, being a global water and waste management solution provider, is always searching for innovative solutions to increase its resource management's efficiency and sustainability2.
To improve the access to essential services such as drinking water and sanitation, the company allocated €4 million to the Foundation SUEZ in 2019. The fund is dedicated to supporting 30 essential service improvement projects in countries whose water needs are the greatest3;p50.
In 2019, Suez withdrew 5803 Mm3 of water, most of it coming from surface water (4,497 Mm3). Furthermore, the company produced 4,658 Mm3 of drinking water out of its total withdrawal, which enabled it to distribute 3,710 Mm3 of drinking water in 20193;p56.
At least 9.1% of the disease around the world, can be prevented and 6.3% of all deaths can be avoided by improving the access to safe drinking water, hygiene and sanitation4. Through the services Suez provides in developing countries, around 41.4 million people are getting access to clean sanitation and drinking water3;p26. In countries like Senegal, in which more than 3 million people don't have access to basic water (1 in every 4) 5, Suez produces over 130,000 m3 of drinking water/day and has planned to further expand the plan, in order to produce over 200,000 m3/day6.
Overall, Suez has shown its efficiency in providing safe drinking water and sanitation services to people in need. Its state-of-the-art technology and effective water management systems provide safe drinking water to millions of people.
