Abstract
This research assessed challenges versus opportunities for achieving Sustainable Developing Goal 6 in developing countries. Collective methods were used to harvest data, including a questionnaire survey, interactive focus group discussion, site visits to some water projects, and analysis of three case studies, including Nigeria, Nepal, and Iraq. Results indicated that most developing countries’ financial resources are insufficient to manage water and sanitation facilities safely. It also revealed gaps in short-to-longer term capacity building programs and institutional arrangements, lack of effective involvement of local academics, nongovernmental agencies, private sector, women, youth, and vulnerable communities in the decision-making process, lack of public awareness strategy, and inefficient use of water are dominating the scene of the water and environment sectors in developing countries. Moreover, results cited that corruption in some countries is one of the critical factors that slowed down the implementation of improved water and sanitation services, which left these countries years off the track to achieving SDG6. Furthermore, results disclosed that efficient use and management of water at local level, sub-national and national scales is indispensable to address the growing imbalance between water demands and supply and climate change impacts, including the increase in frequency/severity of floods and droughts. Therefore, SDG6 targets should be incorporated into national, sub-national, and local plans, policies, and strategies.