Slovenia has become the first country in the European Union to include the right to drinking water in its constitution. There were 64 votes in favour and none against the new law. ‘Everyone has the right to drinkable water,’ Slovenia’s constitution now says. ‘Water resources represent a public good that is managed by the state. Water resources are primary and durably used to supply citizens with potable water and households with water and, in this sense, are not a market commodity.’

Being able to drink tap water around Slovenia should not be taken for granted. It is a huge privilege that we must preserve for us and generations after us.

Slovenia’s parliament has declared in a constitutional amendment that the country’s water belongs to all its citizens. (photo: Daniel Tomanovic)