Safe Drinking water Access

RWF has been funding safe drinking water and sanitation projects in multiple villages in Honduras and Guatemala since 2005. About 1 to 2 billion people lack safe drinking water world-wide. Water can carry vectors in disease. More people die from unsafe water than from war, then- U.N. secretary-general Ban Ki-moon said in 2010. Developing countries are most affected by lack of water, flooding, and water quality. Up to 80 percent of illnesses in developing countries are the direct result of inadequate water and sanitation. We believe that:

• Water is a sacred gift that connects all life

• Access to water is a basic human right

• The value of the earth’s fresh water to the common good takes priority over any possible commercial value

• Fresh water is a shared legacy, a public trust, and a collective responsibility

The drinking water supply and sanitation sector in Honduras and Guatemala are characterized by low and inconsistent service coverage, especially in rural areas; unclear allocation of management responsibilities; and little or no regulation and monitoring of service provision.

The water projects described below are a few examples of the many that RWF has funded since 2005. They involved the construction and installation of gravity pipeline systems and related facilities to bring clean water from remote sources into rural villages that previously had no, or very limited, access to potable water.  These projects were joint ventures, with the local community providing labor, materials, and funds.

Safe Drinking Water System, Mangales, San Andres, Guatemala, RWF funded a mountain-spring fed gravity-flow system with taps, drainage for wastewater, and latrines at each household in this rural village. The system provides water for over 200 people.  

Safe Drinking Water System in Honduras, RWF funded a water system in Las Limas, Jesus de Otoro, Department of Intibuca providing direct access to water in homes and set up closed-hydraulic latrines for sanitation. The project also had a major educational component focused on hygiene, water management, improving construction skills and environmental sustainability. The system provides safe water to over 200 people.

Safe Drinking Water System Sosoal, Honduras, RWF funded a mountain-spring fed gravity-flow system with taps, drainage for wastewater, and latrines at each household in this rural village. The system provides safe water to over 470 people.

Help being safe drinking water and sanitation to communities in Honduras and Guatemala - please donation today!