Solar Desalination Supports United Nations Sustainability Goal 6: Clean Water & Sanitation for All

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global call to action for tackling the most pressing challenges we face today.

The sixth SDG goal set by the United Nations calls for a global commitment to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Two-thirds of the global population faces severe water scarcity at least one month each year. In addition, 10% live in countries under high or critical water stress.

Australia is no stranger to this challenge. Droughts, unpredictable rainfall, and rising demand put extra pressure on coastal towns and island communities. In fact, the Bureau of Meteorology confirmed that 2024 was Australia’s second-hottest year on record, with average temperatures 1.46 °C above the long-term baseline.

The urgency of the goal is no longer up for debate. We need to step up with water supply solutions that work in the toughest conditions – solutions that are clean, scalable, and built for the future. EWM solar desalination systems offer exactly that, delivering fresh water where it’s needed most, without relying on the grid or fossil fuels.

How Solar Desalination Ensures a Sustainable, Water-Secure Future for All

Solar desalination is a progressive technology. It makes use of the abundant supply of seawater and sunlight to produce freshwater. Best of all, EWM solar desalination systems are a decentralized, off-grid solution that doesn’t rely on fossil fuels or incur hefty costs.

Solar desalination is one of the best ways to tackle water scarcity in islands and coastal areas. It also leaves plenty for future generations. Best of all, these systems are scalable and adaptable to remote conditions.

So, their direct contribution to the sixth SDG goal and thereby the betterment of vulnerable communities, is crystal clear. They are being adopted worldwide by local governments, NGOs, and even private establishments like eco-resources committed to advance this goal.

Here’s how EWM desalination systems actively help meet specific targets outlined under the 6th SDG Goal.

Provides Safe and Affordable Water Access

Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all

Traditional ways of accessing water are no longer reliable or affordable. Rainwater depends on unpredictable weather. Groundwater is often brackish or contaminated. Trucking water is expensive, unsustainable, and difficult to manage.

EWM systems solve these challenges by,

• Producing safe, potable water from seawater, only using solar power or wind power.
• Offering a consistent supply, because we won’t run out the sun and the sea!
• Operating entirely off-grid, and making communities in the most remote setting water secure.
• Keeping the costs low by avoiding diesel or electricity usage

For families in water-scarce regions, this means daily access to clean drinking water – without depending on supply trucks, fuel deliveries, or unreliable wells. For local governments and humanitarian groups, it means meeting water access targets in the most practical and sustainable way possible. This also applies to remote Australian communities and coastal regions.

EWM Systems Provides Cleaner, High Quality Water

Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.

As our freshwater source becomes increasingly polluted, the matter of ensuring high water quality becomes more pressing by the day. This target pushes for cleaner water as 2.2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water services. So, improving access isn’t just about quantity. EWM systems play an important role here by delivering clean drinking water without creating new environmental risks.

Here’s how that looks in practice:

• No chemicals are used in the treatment process – no harmful additives or cleaning agents that could pollute groundwater or coastal ecosystems
• Zero-emissions operation, powered entirely by the sun, means no fuel spills or carbon pollution
• It keeps brine discharge minimal and manages it carefully to avoid harming marine life or local water sources.

EWM desalination doesn’t solve one water problem while creating another. It’s a clean solution – from waste management to zero emissions and no chemicals.

Uses Water Resources Efficiently

Target 6.4: Substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.

Desalination can ease pressure on existing freshwater sources. However, traditional systems are often energy-intensive and environmentally taxing.

EWM solar desalination technology resolves these issues! Our solutions are specifically engineered for high efficiency and low impact – which makes them ideal for regions where resources are already stretched. EWM systems are a true champion in addressing water scarcity efficiently because,

• Their unique energy recovery technology reduces energy consumption up to 70% compared to conventional systems.
• They are a climate-resilient and drought-resistant system with minimal waste
• The systems are 100% chemical-free, so there’s little to no harm to the environment.

EWM systems don’t add to the burden. It’s smart, sustainable water production for places that can’t afford inefficiency.