Student AffairsPursuing a career that aligns with SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation allows you to improve access to safe water and sanitation globally. This goal emphasizes sustainable water management and combating water scarcity. Discover how your skills can support this essential cause.
The Goal: Clean Water and Sanitation
This goal seeks to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Key objectives include achieving universal access to safe and affordable drinking water, ensuring adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene, improving water quality by reducing pollution, increasing water-use efficiency, and implementing integrated water resources management at all levels.
The Work
Achieving SDG 6 involves ensuring universal access to safe and affordable drinking water, adequate sanitation, and hygiene services. It requires improving water quality, managing water resources sustainably, and investing in water and sanitation infrastructure. Addressing water scarcity, reducing pollution, and protecting ecosystems that support water supplies are crucial. International cooperation and investment are needed to support water and sanitation projects in underserved areas.
The Skills
Below is a list of key skills that are in demand for careers related to SDG 6. While it is not necessary to master all of these skills, familiarity with some of them can enhance your readiness and competitiveness in the job market.
- Water Conservation
- Sanitation Practices
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
- Water Management
- Community Education
- Advocacy
- Technical Skills
- Project Management
- Crisis Management
Engagement with Queen's and Kingston
You can help advance SDG 6 by conserving water in your daily routine, joining local clean-up efforts for rivers and lakes, and supporting initiatives that provide clean water and sanitation to underserved communities. Educating others about the importance of water conservation and advocating for sustainable water management policies are additional ways to contribute to ensuring clean water and sanitation for all.
Volunteering in Kingston
Past QUIP Internships
- Water & Wastewater Co-op Student
- Civil/Stormwater Engineering Co-op Student
- Environmental Consultant - Water and Wastewater Treatment
- Water Resources (Engineering / Physical Sciences) Student
- Water and Wastewater Engineering Intern
- Environmental Consultant - Water and Wastewater Treatment
Sample Undergraduate Courses
- ENSC 201 Environmental Toxicology and Chemical Risks
- ENSC 407 Global Water Resources: Challenges and Opportunities
- CIVL 372 Water and Wastewater
- CIVL 472 Water Treatment
- CIVL 473 Water Resources Systems
- ENSC 407 Global Water Issues
- GPHY 203 Water Resources and Management
- GPHY 413 Water, Energy and Carbon Cycling in the Biosphere
Sample Graduate Courses
- Graduate Diploma in Water and Human Health
- BWRC 803 Water and Health
- BWRC 801 Chemistry and Biology of Natural Waters
- BWRC 804 Water Policy and Governance
Career Possibilities
- Water Resource Engineer
- Water Treatment Plant Operator
- Epidemiologist
- Water Conservation Specialist
- Hydrologist
- Water Quality Scientists
- Civil Engineer
- Environmental Lawyer
- Sanitation Specialist
- Government Water Resources Manager
- Water Resource Consultant
- Water Resources Researcher
- Water Treatment Technologist
- Irrigation Specialist
Corporations, NGOs, and Government Agencies
Corporations can help ensure clean water and sanitation by adopting sustainable water management practices and reducing water usage in their operations. They can invest in technologies that minimize water pollution and support initiatives that provide clean water and sanitation to underserved communities.
Companies can also engage in advocacy and collaboration with governments and NGOs to address water-related challenges and promote policies that protect water resources. By prioritizing water stewardship, corporations can contribute to the preservation and sustainable management of this vital resource.
- Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS)
- Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)
- Natural Resources Canada
- Environment and Climate Change Canada
