Global norms and capacity building: Recreational water quality

Water and its recreational use have long been recognized as major influences of health and well-being. Clean, well-managed recreational water sites – be they oceans, lakes, rivers, pools or spas – are a focal point for communities and an economic drawcard for tourists and sporting events. Yet, as human activity and climate change intensify, more freshwater and coastal water beaches are prone to pollution from overflows of untreated sewage, runoff of animal excreta from nearby farms, or algal blooms triggered by high nutrient loads. WHO publishes guidelines for recreational water quality in two volumes provides technical advice on the revision of national and regional recreational water regulations: Guidelines for safe recreational water quality: Volume 1 coastal and fresh water. Guidelines for safe recreational water environments – Volume 2 swimming pools and spas.
Leading Entity
World Health Organization (WHO)
Contributing Action Number
CA3.21
Primary Entry Point
3: Align UN system support for integration
Additional Entry Point(s)
4: Accelerate progress and transformational change
Output(s)
Output 3.2: Integrated policy frameworks to manage water and sanitation across sectors are supported by the UN system using latest data and evidence
Output 4.5: Governance of water and sanitation is improved through UN system support, including with emphasis on the needs of developing countries
SDG 6 Target(s)
SDG target 6.2: Achieve access to sanitation and hygiene and end open defecation
SDG target 6.3: Improve water quality, wastewater and safe reuse
Type of Engagement
Normative support (e.g. development of normative guidance, guidelines and standards)
Geographical Scope
Global level
More information
https://www.who.int/teams/environment-climate-change-and-health/water-sanitation-and-health/water-safety-and-quality/recreational-waters

Leading Entity

United Nations System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation

The Contributing Actions are key initiatives supporting the United Nations System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation, aligning individual and joint efforts across UN entities and partnering organizations to advance global water and sanitation goals. These actions are integrated into the Collaborative Implementation Plan (CIP) Results Framework 2025-2028, which provides a structured approach to achieving system-wide impact through coordinated UN efforts.
The Priority Collaborative Actions outlined in the framework focus on enhancing water security, improving governance, strengthening climate resilience, and accelerating progress on sanitation and hygiene. By fostering system-wide collaboration among UN agencies, these actions help drive policy coherence, knowledge sharing, and innovative solutions to address the world’s most pressing water challenges.