Clean water projects around the world don’t always have the most appealing success rates. The numbers vary but USAID has stated the number can be as high as 50%—meaning only half of the water projects around the world stay in operation after 5 years. There are so many factors that can play into the closure of a water project like political turmoil, a well drying up, improper installation or lack of ownership among the community.
The saddest aspect of this reality is that the community has to return to a life that includes consuming contaminated water. They’ve experienced the life-changing effects of drinking clean water every single day. Their children aren’t missing as much school and they don’t live in fear about contracting a waterborne illness. The closing of a water project forces them back into cycles of poverty that they worked so hard to get out of.
While we’re not perfect and have been confronted with challenges along the way, Healing Waters is extremely proud of the success rate of our clean water projects around the world. From our first project in 2002, 89% of our water projects have lasted longer than 5 years. We attribute this success to our holistic WASH model that incorporates sustainable technology as well as local community investment during the entire process.
We want to see the Global Water Crisis end for good, not just a small period of time. We’re always pushing ourselves to make sure our model is bringing the most sustainable access to clean water in different parts of the world and we love seeing the progress that other WASH organizations are making as well.