Our Projects are designed to Last for Generations
Lifewater’s mission is to provide solutions that work for a village today as well as work for generations that follow. After a 39-year history of bringing safe water to serve 2.5 million people around the world, Lifewater introduced a program called the Vision of a Healthy Village in 2016. The program reflects our commitment to real, lasting change.
This means each and every one of our projects are a lot more than just providing a safe water source to a community. In order for the water to remain uncontaminated, everyone using the water must adopt healthy habits for sanitation and hygiene known as WASH. Sustainable change must also include investing in lasting relationships person to person and house by house.
As the Lifewater team recognizes our water systems should be built to serve the needs of people now and in the future; we follow a comprehensive process to ensure it happens. It starts with careful planning including vetting out the best option for safe water as well as forming relationships with the people the water will serve. We know when a person contributes something of value; they feel more a part of the project, which is why we ask the community to contribute up to 15% in labor, materials or funds.
Our engineers are some of the best in the industry and are experienced in developing custom-designed plans that offer the most optimal solution for a village based on the hydrogeology (the study of groundwater) in the community, population size, and locally-available materials. This determines what type of water source a community receives.
Options include hand-dug wells in places with water available at less than 100 feet below ground. Once dug, the well is lined, capped and equipped with a hand pump. Drilled wells are used in places with water more than 100 feet underground and where roads are available to bring in the appropriate equipment needed. Other solutions include using a natural spring, harvesting rainwater or rehabilitating an existing source.
By relying on real time data tracking, local technology and community-led support, a Lifewater project provides a lasting transformation. All of our projects include 5 years of water monitoring for signs of contamination. Reliable relationships with local suppliers also allow communities to quickly make repairs to their system and get it back up and running.
Lifewater hires and trains local health monitors to teach families the health habits of WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene practices). To oversee the water source, we help the village form a Water Committee responsible for monitoring proper use of local water points and collecting fees used toward maintenance and repairs.
Give with confidence to Lifewater International and help us fund more live-saving projects. When people are provided with safe water, sanitation and hygiene, they can lead healthier, more productive lives. Please visit our website and donate today.
