Access to clean water is a basic human right. Therefore every home should have a water supply that is provided free of charge.
Do you agree or disagree?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

Cambridge 20 Task 2: Clean Drinking Water Band 7+ Sample Answer

Having a continuous supply of clean water is considered a fundamental right of every human. That is why it is often asserted that every household is entitled to a free water supply. Although universal access is vital to safeguard health, I do not believe it should be free, as this approach is unlikely to encourage irresponsible consumption.

It is true that water is essential for survival, and people should not be deprived of this natural resource for any reason. If local authorities ensure an uninterrupted supply at an affordable cost, it would help protect public health. In many countries, such as Somalia and Congo, where such facility is not available, people generally struggle for this crucial resource and resort to unclean sources. This further aggravates the issue for local communities due to the spread of chronic water-borne diseases, which are expensive to treat. Therefore, the provision of safe water at subsidised rates is vital for ensuring overall public well-being.

Nevertheless, when a resource is available free of cost, people often stop valuing it, which may lead to its wastage. In the absence of charges on water, individuals tend to over-consume, that eventually causes water shortages or depletion of natural reserves. This can be clearly illustrated by the continuous decline in the groundwater levels in many parts of Punjab where water distribution is free, as people waste this resource thoughtlessly on washing cars, and irrigating gardens excessively. Hence, a nominal charge would at least help to avoid this wastage to an extent.

To conclude, while it is important for the governments to provide clean water access to its citizens, applying a nominal charge is also equally necessary to promote responsible usage and preserve this valuable resource for the future.