Universal access to safe and affordable drinking water continues to demand the attention of the United Nations and its member states under SDG 6. However, the construction of new water delivery infrastructure is failing to keep pace with rapid population growth, while regional impacts of climate change is making progress even more difficult.

In areas lacking reliable piped, trucked, or other forms of delivered water, the demand for bottled water has surged, creating significant environmental challenges. This reliance on bottled water to achieve SDG 6 complicates the attainment of other goals, such as SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water), both of which are negatively impacted by plastic pollution.

This study examines the challenge of improving water access to meet SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), while also reducing dependence on plastic-based water delivery systems, such as those using polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and low density polyethylene (LDPE) sachets. By considering the traditional technology of ceramic gravity filters, this paper estimates plastics displacement effects that could occur if gravity filter technologies increase their participation in selected African markets. The dual objective of meeting SDG 6 while reducing the plastics-intensity of the economy requires intersectoral action aligning efforts in the water, plastics and waste management sectors.