How often do you remind yourself that you are part of a profession that has saved more human lives than all the doctors combined?

Doctors themselves would readily say so — because wastewater collection and treatment — public sanitation — prevents all manner of miserable and often fatal waterborne diseases. World Toilet Day, on Nov. 19, is a time to remember and celebrate that achievement.

World Toilet Day is sponsored by the United Nations as a way to emphasize that every person has a right to safe sanitation. It is also a reminder of the need to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 6: safe toilets and water for all by 2030.

Progress needed

And how are we doing toward meeting that goal? Well, according to the World Health Organization and UNICEF, some 3.5 billion people live without safe toilets and — at least partly as a consequence — 2.2 billion live without safe drinking water.

In addition, some 419 million people have no toilets; they go to the bathroom out in the open. And one-fourth of the global population — 2 billion people — do not have basic facilities at home to wash their hands with soap and water. 

UNICEF adds that unsafe water and lack of sanitation, and hygiene are responsible for the deaths of around 1,000 children under age five every day. At the current rate, by 2030, some 3 billion people will still lack safe toilets, 2 billion will lack safe drinking water and 1.4 billion will lack basic hygiene facilities. So, there is a long way to go.

A look back

Most of these sanitation issues exist in the developing world. But really it was not so long ago that the United States had serious deficiencies. Yes, most people had toilets, and most homes were connected to sewers or septic systems.

But until the 1970s, raw on minimally treated sewage was routinely discharged to rivers and streams. The Clean Water Act of 1972 started the process of turning that around, setting a goal to make the nation’s waters fishable and swimmable — and pathogen-free.

Wastewater treatment plants were a critical part of that. Hundreds of billions of dollars were invested in plant construction and upgrades. Tens of thousands of operators were hired and trained to staff those facilities. And today, while many waters remain impaired for various reasons, the situation overall is remarkably better than half a century ago.

It’s useful for people to remember how much progress has been made — now much better the world is — because of humble things like toilets, sewers and treatment facilities.

Observing the day

So, how can you and your team mark World Toilet Day and in the bargain call attention to the absolutely essential work you do? You might send out a news release announcing the day and citing your facility’s accomplishments — your permit compliance record, awards your plant and your team members have earned.

You could ask to be a guest on a radio talk program to tell about how your plant helps keep your community healthy and safe. Invite people to an open house and a tour of your facility. Work with community groups to organize a cleanup of a lakefront or stream.

At the very minimum, use the day to remind your staff members why they are just as important as those who deliver other public services — police and fire protection, parks and recreation, street maintenance, and others.

You do valuable work. You should not hesitate to let members of your public know just how valuable it is. World Toilet Day is a great chance to do so. For more information, visit un.org/en/observances/toilet-day.