By 2030, it is estimated that 60% of the world’s population will live in cities and urban areas. Rapidly expanding urban populations have led to overcrowded living conditions, poor infrastructure, and limited access to resources. Persistent exposure to infections transmitted through water and sanitation pathways can lead to poor nutrition, compromised immune systems and a lifetime of physical and cognitive impairment. Failure to address the consequences of urbanization will perpetuate death, disability, and poor quality of life, and collaboration among researchers, implementers, advocates, community members, and policy makers has become urgent to take the necessary action to reverse this trend.