How is engineering addressing SDG 6?
Dr Askwar Hilonga is Director and Inventor at Gongali Model Co. While working at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Askwar realised he could use his expertise to tackle the huge problem of disease contracted from contaminated drinking water in Tanzania. Askwar won the Royal Academy of Engineering's first Africa Prize with his Nanofilter innovation, which can be used to filter for different location-specific contaminants and has already made safe drinking water a reality for 300,000 people. Askwar has now launched the #ThirstForLife campaign and is on a mission to build 1000 water kiosks across Africa in 2021.
More information: Nanofilter among the winners of the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation
What is SDG 6?
Water scarcity affects more than 40% of the global population. By 2050, it is projected that at least one in four people will suffer recurring water shortages. In 2015, 4.5 billion people lacked safely managed sanitation services (with adequately disposed or treated excreta) and 2.3 billion lacked even basic sanitation.
The aim of this goal is to ensure safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030. This requires investment in adequate infrastructure and sanitation facilities, and encouraging hygiene. Protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems is also essential.
The Royal Academy of Engineering supports the Sustainable Development Goals.
SDG information taken from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) website.
