Community Commitment

Our projects would not be successful without the strong commitment of the people in the communities we support. They are involved in every step of the planning, implementing, and financing of their projects. Communities are also responsible for the long-term operation and maintenance of their projects, so it is critical that they be involved in all stages of the work.

Our projects involve simple, proven technologies where spare parts are locally available, and community members provide all the manual labor for water project construction. Construction of the water systems is not easy. Construction means carrying sand and stone for making concrete from far away river beds, digging miles of pipeline trench, or building access roads for drilling rigs. This work is done entirely by hand with simple tools and is in addition to their normal daily tasks of farming and carrying water home.

Communities also make a financial commitment to the project. They pay for all of the operation and maintenance costs of the water system. Households pay an affordable monthly water bill, just like we do here. Funds are then available to purchase materials for maintaining the water system.

Through hygiene promotion, community members also commit to learning about ways in which they can change their behaviors to utilize their new water systems and be healthier.

Finally, the communities we support make a commitment to maintaining their new water system. Local technicians or caretakers are elected by the community and trained by our local partner organization to operate and maintain the water system.