Continually improving affordable wastewater management provides opportunities for both pollution reduction and clean water supply augmentation, while simultaneously promoting sustainable development and supporting the transition to a circular economy.
Based on a study by Utrecht University and ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ-INWEH, substantial differences in per capita wastewater production, collection, treatment and reuse have been observed across different geographic regions and by level of economic development.
For example, while an estimated 52% of wastewater is treated globally, treatment rates vary drastically between high-income (74%), upper-middle income (43%), lower-middle income (26%) and low-income (4.3%) countries.
For more information on wastewater production, collection, treatment and reuse status at the national and gridded levels, please access the full publication . The underlying data can also be accessed .
To view the detailed maps, click on the links below
- Wastewater production at the country level (cubic metres per capita per year) and gridded wastewater production at 5 arc-minute spatial resolution.
- Wastewater collection at the country level (%) and gridded wastewater production at 5 arc-minute spatial resolution.
- Wastewater treatment at the country level (%) and gridded wastewater production at 5 arc-minute spatial resolution.
- Wastewater reuse at the country level (%) and gridded wastewater production at 5 arc-minute spatial resolution.