The world: real progress, a large gap remains
The WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme report published in 2025 found that 2.1 billion people—about one in four worldwide—still lacked safely managed drinking-water services in 2024. This included 106 million people drinking directly from untreated surface sources. At the same time, 2.2 billion people gained safely managed services between 2000 and 2024; progress is real, but uneven.
Safely managed is stricter than simply using an improved source: the source must be improved, located on premises, available when needed, and free from specified contamination. Access figures should therefore always be read with their definition.
Indonesia: an improved source is not the finish line
UNICEF Indonesia reported in April 2025 that access to safely managed drinking water remained at 11.8%. This is not the same as BPS's indicator for access to an improved drinking-water source; the difference shows why quality, availability, and management from source to consumption point need to be considered together.
At resource level, a 2024 World Bank assessment found that 45 of Indonesia's 128 river basins were experiencing water stress, including 15 at high or severe levels. Conditions vary widely across the country, so national figures do not replace a site-specific source and system assessment.
The 2045–2050 outlook is a call to act
UN-Water projects global water demand could increase by 20–30% by 2050. The population in potentially severely water-scarce areas could rise from about 1.9 billion to 2.7–3.2 billion by 2050. Projections are scenarios based on assumptions, not certainties; their direction can still be influenced by action today.
For Indonesia, the World Bank estimates that unaddressed water-security challenges could reduce GDP growth by as much as 7.3% by 2045 against the baseline scenario. Conversely, substantial water-security interventions could bring economic benefits. Water must therefore be treated as a foundation for health, food, industry, cities, and climate resilience—not merely as a utility.
Small, realistic actions that can add up
Begin with what can be measured: check leaks, track consumption, use water for its intended need, maintain tanks and plumbing, and select technology around an identified problem. Keep oil, medicines, chemicals, and waste out of drains and water bodies. Use refillable or reusable containers with correct washing and sanitation procedures.
Rainwater can serve suitable non-drinking uses when collection and use are properly designed; drinking use requires adequate treatment and verification. People can also report leaks or pollution, support catchment protection, and share observed changes with service providers. Saving water matters, but responsibility should not be placed on households alone—utilities, businesses, and governments have greater systemic influence.
Five actions to begin this week
- ✓Record the meter or bill and check one possible hidden leak at home or work.
- ✓Give tanks, taps, filters, and water containers a clear inspection, sanitation, and replacement schedule.
- ✓Keep oil, medicines, paint, chemicals, and waste out of drains and use appropriate disposal routes.
- ✓Reduce single-use packaging through refill or reusable-bottle systems that are correctly washed and sanitised.
- ✓Report leaks, pollution, or water-quality changes and ask responsible providers to follow up with evidence.
The ARS perspective
Simple Mind. Simple Things. Smart Solutions. Change begins by understanding the right risk, taking simple actions consistently, and then building measurable solutions at home, business, facility, and network scale. This article uses the latest official data available as of 29 August 2026 and will be updated as new references are published.
Official references
This material provides general education. It does not replace laboratory testing, applicable local requirements, or a professional assessment of a specific water system.