A global initiative towards making all drinking water lead-free by 2040
Nothing is more fundamental to human health and well-being than access to safe drinking water.
In 2016, world leaders adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) including SDG 6 – a universal call to action to provide access to safe and affordable drinking water to every person, everywhere, by 2030.
As part of our global commitment to provide water that is free from microbial hazards and priority chemical contaminants that impact human health, we launch this global initiative to work towards lead-free drinking water by 2040.
Moments that built this initiative
Past events where partners committed, evidence was presented, and the case for lead-free drinking water moved forward.
Accelerating the End of Lead in Global Drinking Water
On Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, during the UNC Water and Health Conference, the Water Institute at UNC, together with IAPMO, RTI International, World Vision, The Aquaya Institute, Rutgers University, UNICEF, WHO, and Design Outreach, led a side event to gather input on the roadmap to eliminate lead in drinking water.
Watch the video
Advancing drinking water safety at APEC 2025
At the APEC 2025 "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow" meeting in Korea, our team led discussions with APEC governments and stakeholders on a regional roadmap to improve drinking water safety standards. UNC Water Institute researchers also shared evidence on lead exposure risks and mitigation. Press release.
Global lead conference
In June 2025, The Center for Global Development invited Senior Researchers from the Water Institute at UNC and the Global Lead-Free Water team to present at the First Annual Research Conference on Global Lead Exposure in Washington, D.C. See poster. (With generous support provided by the Hilton Foundation.)
The United Nations made a new commitment to address lead in drinking water at the side event led by our team at the Water Institute at UNC. It was standing-room only and organizations and nations continue to pledge to support the initiative. You can watch the video, read the press release or see latest news.
World Water Week 2025 Special Session: Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025
The Water Institute at UNC, along with the African Ministers Council on Water and other partners, hosted a special event during the Stockholm International Water Institute's World Water Week to catalyze greater global action to prevent and mitigate lead exposure through drinking water. Press release
Questions about the initiative? Get in touch with the team.
Founding partners
The governments, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations that signed the pledge at its launch.
