Indicator 6.3.1 “Proportion of domestic and industrial wastewater flow safely treated”

Target 6.3 seeks to halve the proportion of untreated wastewater discharged into our water bodies – this page explains why and how to monitor progress towards the target, and what resources that are available for countries to do so.

The indicator at a glance

Indicator 6.3.1 tracks the percentage of wastewater flows from households, services and industrial premises that are treated in compliance with national or local standards.

The household component includes both sewage and faecal sludge, treated on-site and off-site, and is monitored as part of the sanitary chain with direct links to indicator 6.2.1 on access to sustainably managed sanitation services.

The services and industrial premises are defined based on the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC).

Data on 6.3.1 are commonly collected by national line ministries and institutions (e.g. for Water, Sanitation, Environment, Health, Public Services, Planning, Housing, Infrastructure, Production), utilities and on-site service providers as well as the National Statistical Office (household surveys and registers of economic activities).

Available support 2019-2022

WHO and UN-Habitat are the custodians of indicator 6.3.1. For any inquiries about available support, please contact their helpdesk.

Guidance on data collection and reporting

• Monitoring methodology (under revision, currently see chapter 2 of 2018 Progress Report)
• Data collection process and timeline

Online support

• Helpdesk (email, phone, video conference)
• Training course (under development)
• Kobo toolbox for wastewater assessment (under development)

Face-to-face support

• National workshops in selected countries
• Regional workshops (League of Arab States, Commonwealth of Independent States)

Data and progress reporting

• SDG 6 Data Portal
• 6.3.1 data portal (country files)
• 2018 Progress Report