Clean Water and Sanitation Projects Empower Rural Communities

Deficiencies in water supply and sanitation significantly hamper economic opportunities and decrease the quality of life in most rural communities worldwide. Despite the progress made in water and sanitation during the past ten years, and despite the fact that clean water has been recognized as a human right by the international community, one-sixth of the world's population is still without clean water and two-fifths are without adequate sanitation. The ability to wash one's hands and drink clean water has a major impact on family hygiene and health. Women, who play an especially important role in gathering water for their families, are often those that bare the heaviest burden. Because people who are poor are most likely to get sick, and ill health perpetuates poverty, the lack of clean water and sanitation triggers a vicious cycle that hampers economic and social development in rural communities. There are many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as governmental agencies addressing the challenge of clean water and sanitation in rural communities. However, the task is staggering. This paper defines issues as well as goals for rural water and sanitation projects in developing countries as well as presents some of the barriers to their sustainability. The author has worked with several NGOs in the development and assessment of rural water and sanitation projects in Guatemala, Honduras, Bolivia and Ecuador. The paper defines criteria for project sustainability, describes barriers to clean water and sanitation, and gives witness to empowered rural communities that have developed their own clean water and sanitation projects. People in rural communities around the world are being empowered by the three-legged stool concept of clean water, sanitation, and basic hygiene training. It is important that the rural community and those assisting understand before the project is initiated the funding options, local governmental policies and politics, community leadership dynamics, customs, culture, community location with respect to water sources, planning for growth, and protection of the source watershed.