According to UN-Water, almost half the world's workforce – 1.5 billion people – is employed in water-related sectors and nearly all jobs depend on water and those that ensure its safe delivery. Yet the millions of people who work in water are often not recognized or protected by basic labour rights. Enough good-quality water can change workers’ lives and livelihoods – and even transform societies and economies. To achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 on availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation by 2030, we will have to improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing the release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally. More than 700 ISO standards provide global tools to help us manage our shared water resources equitably and durably. They facilitate sustainable water management and increase water potential, helping to alleviate water scarcity.