Clean water and sanitation are the focus of the sixth UN Sustainable Development Goals. The goal aims to achieve the following: “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”. The books below help readers understand the importance of clean water and sanitation and their implication on health and beyond. They also explore ways that we can achieve this goal.
Watch below for a helpful introduction to this goal.
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The Great Stink: How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London’s Poop Pollution Problem
by Colleen Paeff (Author), Nancy Carpenter (Illustrator)
Review: The Great Stink introduces readers to the often deadly link between water pollution and ill health. Colleen Paeff recounts the story of how Joseph Bazalgette, an engineer, tackled London’s water contamination problem in the 1800’s. Beautifully painted illustrations by Nancy Carpenter make this book as visually engaging as it is informative. This award-winning book is well worth the read. Highly recommended.
Suggested Reading Age: 7 to 12 years old.
You Wouldn’t Want To Live Without Clean Water
by Roger Canavan (Author), David Antram (Illustrator)
Review: This book provides a great overview of clean water for children. Roger Canavan explores where water comes from, why we need water, animals’ and plants’ need for water, the impacts of clean and dirty water, and how to clean water and conserve water in the book’s pages. The text is engagingly laid out with inset boxes and tips thoughtfully used throughout. David Antram’s appealing illustrations draw the eye in and make this a book that children will want to pick up and dip in and out of.
Suggested Reading Age: 7 to 10 years old.
Water Isn’t Wasted! How Water Becomes Safe To Drink
by Riley Flynn
Sewers Stink!: How Does Waste Go Down?
by Riley Flynn
Review: These two books by Riley Flynn work perfectly as a duo. Water Isn’t Wasted! How Water Becomes Safe To Drink looks at water, how we use it and its role in our lives. It explores the history of humans and water, including significant dates in water treatment in the USA as well as ways to help protect our water supplies. Sewers Stink! How Does Waste Go Down? details the process of sewage treatment, inquires into ways people have treated sewage throughout history and considers the role of waste in our world. Finally, for those who want to explore more about the toilet, Flynn has an entire book dedicated to this invention. Toilets Tank! Their Inner Workings explores the history of the toilet and its role in sanitation. All three books are well presented, with photographs, diagrams and timelines presenting key information in an engaging manner.
by Riley Flynn
Suggested Reading Age For All Three Books: 7 to 11 years old
Clean Water For All
by Danielle Haynes
Review: Clean Water For All takes a wide-ranging look at water and the issues surrounding it around the world. Beginning by providing some historical perspective, Haynes explains how we can clean water. She goes on to broach topics such as water pollution (plastics in water), tribal water rights and our responsibility to care of water supplies for the next generations. A thought-provoking book, Clean Water For All is a perfect read for slightly older readers ready to broach some of the complex issues surrounding this vital source of life.
Click here for a look inside the book.
Suggested Reading Age: 8 to 12 years old. In my opinion, this is best suited to the upper end of this age bracket.
Loos Save Lives: How sanitation and clean water help prevent poverty, disease and death
by Seren Boyd
Review: Coming in at 32 pages, this short book addresses a wide range of water-related issues, from the impact of lack of clean water on children’s education to its effect on health. Produced by the charitable organisation Toilet Twinning, Loos Save Lives highlights some of the projects they are involved in over 20 countries in the world. The contents of this book and the real-life examples of this charity at work make a perfect conversation starter for children around this topic.
Suggested Reading Age: 9 to 11 years old.
Do The Work! Clean Water And Sanitation: Committing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
by Julie Knutson
Review: Intentionally written to support the sixth UN Sustainable Development Goal, Do The Work! provides a comprehensive look at the goals before delving into how we can contribute to reaching the goal at home, at school and in the community. With a clear focus on action, this is a perfect read to inspire readers to make a difference.
Suggested Reading Age: 9 to 12 years old.
Every Last Drop: Bringing Clean Water Home
by Michelle Mulder
Review: Part of the Orca Footprints series, Every Last Drop: Bringing Clean Water Home takes an in-depth look at clean water and sanitation around the world. From providing real-life examples of people’s experiences with collecting water to giving suggestions on how we can make a difference, this book provides readers with plenty to think about. Examples from around the world as to the innovative techniques people are using to help relieve this situation make for compelling reading.
Suggested Reading Age: 9 to 12 years old.
Clean Water In Infographics
by Renae Gilles
Review: Instantly accessible, Clean Water In Infographics presents many issues surrounding clean water in a visually engaging manner. The book begins by explaining what clean water is, before addressing water on Earth, water and people, and issues surrounding clean water. Renae Gilles ends by addressing ways in which we can fix the problem. Each chapter begins with a brief written introduction, before letting the infographics develop and illustrate the problems. The illustrations used are visually appealing and the information provided is engaging and informative. This would make a great accompaniment to any unit of study.
Click here for a look inside the book.
Suggested Reading Age: 9 to 13 years old. In my opinion, many older readers would also enjoy picking up some facts through this medium.
Clean Water for Developing Countries
by John A. Dracup PhD
Review: At the beginning of this book, Dr Dracup states, “The main purpose of this book is to assist the reader in choosing the best method for providing clean and safe water in a developing country.” Informed by extensive research and his own experiences, Clean Water for Developing Countries makes a fascinating read as a wide range of topics such as marketing, costs and choosing a freshwater source, for example, are considered. The inclusion of 16 case studies makes for fascinating and informative reading. Clean Water for Developing Countries would make a perfect resource for older students considering the many facets
involved in successfully tackling the issue of lack of clean water.
Suggested Reading Age: Older teens and adults.
Happy Reading!
Other UN Sustainable Development Goal Inspired Posts That May Be Of Interest:
Good Health & Well-Being: Goal 3
Click HERE To See More Social Studies Related Book Recommendations
Do YOU know of any great books about clean water and sanitation to add to this list? If so, please leave a recommendation below .