Water losses and sustainable development: antagonistic relations

There is an antagonistic relationship between sustainable development and water losses. This paper aims to discuss the impact of water losses in water supply systems on SDG 6, as well as on other SDGs that are (in)directly associated with water. These relationships were structured based on a conceptual framework, including water losses, sustainability and sustainable development, water resource governance, and the Water-Energy-Food Nexus concepts. The study is original in presenting a comprehensive analysis of the influence that water losses exert on the achievement of the SDGs. The conclusions are that water losses can influence all SDG 6 targets (in)directly, as well as at least 10 other SDGs. It is concluded that an expansion of efforts to reduce water losses is necessary to accelerate sustainable development and the fulfillment of the SDGs, especially under the current pressures of climate change.