Impact Areas

Human needs for water access, sanitation, and hygiene—often called WASH for short—are simply not being met. Around the globe, approximately 2.2 billion people lack safe drinking water, while 3.5 billion people lack safely managed sanitation. Even in the United States, more than 2 million people do not have running water or basic plumbing, and water is unsafe or unaffordable for tens of millions more. Climate change is exacerbating inequities in access to clean, reliable, and affordable water, as well as sanitation and hygiene. Frontline communities typically don’t have a seat at the table when it comes to decisions around water and climate, yet they are often the first and worst impacted. 

The Pacific Institute has more than 30 years’ experience integrating social equity into our work. Both in the United States and around the world, we help equip frontline communities and those who support them with the research, tools, and resources they need to improve access to safe water and sanitation. We also support these communities to ensure their water practices and policies are resilient to climate change. Additionally, the Pacific Institute supports utilities, consultants, and corporations to integrate equity into their practices, policies, and programs.