Improve Access to Clean Water
Access to clean, safe running water is a fundamental human need, yet millions of Americans live without it. More than two million people in the United States lack basic indoor plumbing, and for nearly 44 million, the water that flows from their taps is not safe to drink. This forces many to travel long distances just to secure water, creating a significant barrier to health, hygiene, and economic stability.
Lack of reliable water infrastructure and poor wastewater management hit low-income and rural communities the hardest. Tackling this challenge head-on is vital.
To Get Started:
Identify Community Needs: Research and identify specific communities where access to clean, in-household running water is a persistent issue.
Implement and Fund Solutions: Design, build, or fund the implementation and renovation of water and wastewater systems in identified areas.
Engage and Collaborate: Build strategic partnerships with local stakeholders, educational institutions, and community leaders to promote awareness about the water crisis and ensure its long-term sustainability and effectiveness.
Examples of Best Practices / Innovative Programs:
-
DigDeep is the only WaSH organization serving the United States. DigDeep is dedicated to providing running water to the homes of all Americans. Through its community-led projects, like the Appalachia Water Project, the organization demonstrates a powerful model for closing the water access gap by installing home water systems.
The Water Well Trust provides financing and technical assistance to low-income households in rural areas to drill new water wells or refurbish existing ones. It empowers families to secure safe, private water sources where public systems are not feasible.
-
The Ferguson and DIGDEEP Partnership provides funding and materials, aiming to bring running water to hundreds of families. This collaboration demonstrates how businesses can effectively channel resources to support nonprofit efforts and address the domestic water crisis.
The Xylem Watermark corporate social responsibility program engages employees to provide and protect safe water resources for communities in need. The program includes initiatives like building water towers and providing water filtration systems, leveraging the company’s expertise to make a direct impact.
Kohler’s Safe Water for All Initiative focuses on providing innovative water solutions to underserved communities in the U.S. The program includes partnerships with nonprofits to install water filtration systems and improve water access.
Delta Faucet Company and WaterSense Partnership is a collaboration between Delta Faucet Company and the EPA’s WaterSense program to promote water efficiency and conservation. Through this partnership, Delta provides water-saving products and educational resources to communities across the U.S.
-
American Water, the largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., supports local communities through its charitable foundation. Their American Water’s Community Giving Program funds projects that improve water access, quality, and education in underserved areas.
