World Toilet Day 2022: Making the invisible visible

Groundwater is invisible, but its impact is visible everywhere. This World Toilet Day is all about making the invisible visible and taking action to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 on water and sanitation for all. The 3.6 billion people worldwide who lack access to safely managed sanitation depend on these efforts. Learn more about the day and ways to get involved.

What is the aim of World Toilet Day?

The day, commemorated on 19 November every year, is about taking action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.

It is also about raising awareness of the 3.6 billion people who are still living with poor quality toilets that ruin their health and pollute their environment. These inadequate sanitation systems allow for the spread of human waste into rivers, lakes and soil, contaminating the water resources under our feet.

Currently, the world is seriously off track to meet the promise of SDG 6.2: achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation. The campaign urges governments to work, on average, four times faster to ensure SDG 6.2 is achieved on time.

Invisible groundwater

Groundwater is invisible, but its impact is visible everywhere. Out of sight or under our feet, groundwater is a hidden treasure that enriches our lives. Groundwater is our most abundant source of freshwater. It supports our drinking water supplies, sanitation systems, farming, industry and ecosystems. As climate change worsens and populations grow, groundwater is vital for our survival. 

Sanitation and groundwater

Safe sanitation protects groundwater. Toilets that are properly sited and connected to safely managed sanitation systems, collect, treat and dispose of human waste, and help prevent human waste from spreading into groundwater. 

What happens on World Toilet Day?

Ahead of World Toilet Day, UN-Water is launching a global campaign at www.worldtoiletday.org and on social media with the hashtag #WorldToiletDay. Individuals, organizations, governments, companies, schools and many other actors can support the day by using the official messages and assets, or by organizing their own World Toilet Day activities.

On 18 November, a giant inflatable toilet will be displayed in front of the UN Headquarters in commemoration of World Toilet Day. Please join us to celebrate World Toilet Day and raise awareness for an adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all.

Photo Credit: UN Photo/Mark Garten