Legal Frameworks for Equitable Water Governance: Strengthening Policy Mechanisms for Sustainable Water Access and Rights

Abstract

Equitable access to safe drinking water remains a critical global challenge, despite significant progress in expanding basic water services. This study examines the role of legal frameworks and governance structures in shaping sustainable and equitable water access outcomes. A mixed-methods approach is adopted, combining quantitative analysis of secondary data from the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) dataset (2000–2024) with qualitative classification of legal and governance frameworks across six countries: South Africa, Germany, India, Brazil, Ethiopia, and Bangladesh. The findings reveal that while basic drinking-water access is relatively high in several countries, safely managed access and rural–urban equity remain uneven. Countries with strong governance systems, such as Germany, demonstrate near-universal access and minimal disparities, whereas countries with weaker governance contexts, such as Ethiopia, exhibit low access levels and significant inequalities. Moderate governance systems, including India and Brazil, show improvements in coverage but persistent gaps in service quality and distribution. The results highlight that legal recognition of water rights alone is insufficient to ensure equitable outcomes. Effective governance, including institutional capacity, regulatory enforcement, and coordinated policy mechanisms, is essential for translating legal frameworks into sustainable water access. The study emphasizes the need for equity-focused monitoring and strengthened policy implementation to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6.