Water is the foundation of all sustainable development. It impacts every aspect of life: hygiene and sanitation, mental and social well-being, justice issues for women and children, education, the economy, and the environment.

Yet 703 million people lack basic access to water, trapped in a cycle of poverty when their most essential human need is inaccessible.

We build thriving communities by linking arms with individuals, church congregations, and communities to end the global water crisis by cultivating sustainable water access, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs.

Safe Water

Since the very beginning, water provision has been the cornerstone of our work in every country we operate in. Water access is about more than just installing water systems. It’s about installing the right systems. Living Water technical teams consider many variables when constructing or rehabilitating a safe water source. Geography, government regulations, and a community’s ability to maintain the water point are all factored into selecting an appropriate water system. Water quality testing is conducted throughout various stages of construction to ensure the water is safe for consumption. We are committed to these high standards by continuing to test each water point every year for five years which enhances the opportunities for sustainable development.

Sanitation & Hygiene

People struggle with disease, lack of privacy, and indignity in places where there is no safe, clean place to go to the toilet. Once communities have access to safe, sustainable water, they can improve their sanitation, dramatically raising their quality of life. To have an impact, people need to use them effectively to improve their health. Education is essential–we help people understand how to prevent diseases by washing their hands, storing their water correctly, and using a latrine. Through this participatory approach, these behavior changes improve health, increase school achievement, and multiply productivity.

Regional Experts

Our local staff are experts in their field and better understand the complexity of their own culture and geography. Regional Living Water staff have developed deep partnerships with in-country stakeholders, from local government agencies, district WASH officials, representatives from like-minded nonprofit organizations, community leaders, and local church pastors. These long-term relationships allow us to tailor our programs to meet the unique needs of each community.

Local Church Partners

We work with our primary partner, the Church, in all its forms—national and district networks, and local congregations and help mobilize them by taking effective action as leaders in their WASH projects. Through this partnership, the Church crosses dividing lines to reflect their love for their neighbors in need, unite for a shared purpose, minister to the unreached through word and deed, and alleviate real social justice issues. Following our holistic approach, Living Water WASH projects serve all people, regardless of their religious affiliation.

Sustainability

For these things to be effective in the long-term, we have to involve the community from the beginning. We walk alongside the communities we serve to appropriately respond to both need and demand and help them envision their ideal future. Once a water project is complete, we work with the community to form a water committee of local residents who oversee the water point, collect small, voluntary fees for maintenance and repairs, advocate for continued sanitation and hygiene, and remain in contact with Living Water’s local staff. Working in a set geographical location (WASH Program Area) for 5-7 years allows our teams to collect data on all projects and activities. With these measures in place, we can better ensure that a sustainable impact is made.

Holistic Transformation

Through our holistic approach, we address the pervasive impact that the water crisis has on every aspect of life. The WASH Program Area (WPA) gives our programs geographic and relational focus for the long-term. We are scaling this approach across our countries, deepening our commitment to the local church, increasing technical agility, and improving our ability to respond to emergencies. Driven by the biblical mandate to care for creation and our global neighbors by addressing the needs of the whole person – physically and spiritually – we ensure that the work we do is sustainable today and for generations to come.