Safe Water for the Community

An estimated 1.1 billion people worldwide do not have access to an improved water supply, and many more drink unsafe, contaminated water from improved sources. Each year, inadequate access to safe drinking water and improper sanitation cause an estimated 4 billion cases of diarrhea and 1.9 million deaths in developing countries, mostly among young children. In addition, waterborne diarrheal diseases lead to decreased food intake and nutrient absorption, malnutrition, reduced resistance to infection, and impaired physical growth and cognitive development.

Factors contributing to this high rate of diarrheal disease incidence include: poor sanitation, poor hand hygiene, contaminated water, and lack of sufficient household water. Programs that provide latrines, education about soap and washing hands, access to microbiologically clean water, and/or enough water all help reduce the incidence of diarrheal disease.

Recently, many organizations have expressed an interest in establishing community based SWS programs on a smaller scale. This guide complements the SWS Handbook by providing specific, detailed information to assist organizations to develop community-based SWS programs.