Water for Life
Water is essential for life. People, animals, and plants all need water to live and to
grow. But in many parts of the world people lack enough water to stay healthy. Many
people have to travel long distances to collect water. And often, the water that
is available is not safe to drink.
If people do not have enough water for their daily needs, they face hardship and
serious illnesses. And if the available water is not safe — because it is contaminated
with germs, worms, or toxic chemicals — this can also lead to many illnesses.
When a community has a water supply that is accessible (easy to get to) and safe,
everyone’s health is improved. If women are freed from the daily labor of carrying and
treating water, the well-being of the whole family improves. Children grow healthier
and have less of the diarrhea disease that comes from contaminated water. And
women and girls have more time to be part of community life and to go to school.
This booklet describes ways to collect, store, and conserve (save) water, and to
protect and treat water so it is safe to drink. This booklet also helps to ensure water
security (regular access to enough safe water) by raising community awareness about
water problems, and by showing ways to organize for change.
The solutions offered here can be applied to small water systems anywhere. As long
as all people have a say in how water is collected, conserved, and used, solutions can
be found for even the most difficult problems.