Introduction Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) are fundamental to human health, dignity and development. Access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and proper hygiene practices are recognised as basic human rights and are central to achieving sustainable development. Lack of WASH facilities leads to disease, undernutrition, poverty and inequality. In India and across the world, WASH has been a focus area in health programmes, poverty reduction strategies and community development initiatives. Definition of WASH Water: Refers to the availability and accessibility of safe and sufficient water for drinking, cooking, bathing and domestic uses.Sanitation: Includes facilities and services for the safe disposal of human urine and faeces, as well as solid waste management and environmental cleanliness.Hygiene: Encompasses practices that maintain cleanliness and health, particularly handwashing with soap at critical times, menstrual hygiene, safe food handling and household cleanliness. Together, WASH is not only about infrastructure but also about human behaviour and sustainable management of resources. Historical background The importance of water and sanitation has been recognised since ancient times. Civilisations such as those in the Indus Valley developed drainage systems and baths. In the 19th century, modern public health began to emphasise safe water and sanitation in response to cholera and typhoid outbreaks in Europe. At the global level, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have played leading roles in setting standards, monitoring progress and supporting countries to improve WASH services. The International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade (1981-1990) marked one of the first major coordinated global efforts to expand access. More recently, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set specific targets for improved water and sanitation between 1990 and 2015. Building on these, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015, established a dedicated goal – SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Importance of WASH Health Benefits Prevents diarrhoeal diseases, cholera, typhoid, dysentery and intestinal worms. Reduces maternal and newborn infections during childbirth. Breaks the faecal-oral route of disease transmission. (Source: WHO – Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Nutrition Repeated infections from unsafe water and poor sanitation reduce nutrient absorption, contributing to stunting and undernutrition in children. (Source: WaterAid India – Interlinkages between WASH and Nutrition, 2019) Education and Gender Equality Lack of toilets in schools lowers attendance, especially among adolescent girls during menstruation. Access to safe water reduces the burden on women and girls who often fetch water from long distances. Economic ProductivityReduces lost workdays due to illness.Families save medical costs linked to preventable diseases. Dignity and Human Rights Access to WASH is linked to dignity, privacy and safety. In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly recognised access to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right.Environmental ProtectionProper sanitation prevents contamination of rivers, ponds and groundwater.Sustainable water management helps conserve resources in times of scarcity. WASH in India India has made significant strides in expanding WASH services in recent years. The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) launched in 2014, focuses on eliminating open defecation and providing toilets to every household. The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) launched in 2019 aims to provide tap water to every rural household by 2024. These flagship programmes show the importance attached to WASH for public health, social transformation and national development.(Source: Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India – Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission) Challenges Ensuring continuous access to safe drinking water. Promoting sustained hygiene practices through behaviour change for sustained hygiene practices. Effective operation and maintenance of sanitation facilities. Addressing WASH needs in schools, health centres and urban slums. Building resilience to climate change and natural disasters that threaten water supply. Example: The daily routine of a family in a WASH-enabled village A family lived in a village called Jeevanpur. In the past, their day began with a long walk to a distant, open well to fetch water, which was often dirty and unsafe to drink. Now, a new community tap stands in the center of the village , providing clean, reliable water for all. This shows the water aspect of WASH, where safe and easily accessible water helps families stay healthy and saves time that can be used for work and education. Next to their house, the family now has a personal toilet with a twin-pit latrineThis ensures that all human waste is managed safely and hygienically, preventing it from contaminating the surroundings. This represents the sanitation aspect of WASH, which helps keep the environment clean and reduces the spread of diseases. Their day ends with their mother reminding everyone to wash their hands with soap after using the toilet and before preparing food. This simple routine, made possible by WASH, keeps the entire family healthy and allows them to live with dignity and safety. This reflects the hygiene aspect of WASH, which focuses on maintaining cleanliness and protecting health through everyday habits. Conclusion WASH is the foundation of health, education, gender equality and economic growth. Safe water, adequate sanitation and proper hygiene are interdependent and must be ensured together. Investments in WASH yield multiple benefits – improved health outcomes, reduced poverty, enhanced dignity and sustainable development. For India and the world, strengthening WASH systems is essential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and uphold the right to health and well-being.