Written by Eryn Austin-Bergen and Ingrid Delgado for Hope Notes Is 31
Updated by Sarah Harrington
When you run the tap in the morning, do you ever wonder if the water is safe? We all need access to water for drinking, cooking, cleaning—you name it! Imagine not being able to wash your clothes, your dishes, or your hands. But around the world, 1 in 10 people lack access to safe water.
That’s where clean water projects come in. Whether it’s digging new wells, capping springs, installing pipelines, or one of the many other types of clean water solutions, these water projects free communities from the dangers of unsafe drinking water. They save time and lives. But what actually happens before you can turn on the tap? Here’s a look at one community’s journey through a water project!
Waiting for Water
![]() |
Xonca's water source before the water project was implemented ran through the hillsides, gathering debris and breeding larvae. |
Getting the Job Done
![]() |
A massive distribution tank collects spring water from the mountain. Xonca families can be proud of the expert system they built together. |
More Help Arrives
Turning on the Tap
The families in Xonca sacrificed time, sweat equity, and hard-earned money to ensure they not only had a communal source of water, but that each individual home could have clean, flowing water right out of their own taps. This will save significant time and back-breaking labour as well as improve family health.
“I am very happy because we now have water!" Jacinta, a community member, exclaimed. "For a long time, we did not have water and it was difficult going to the well to collect it. Now that I have water in my home... Thank you for helping us and for your support. May God bless you because water is very important for us. Thank you!”
Lives Changed
![]() |
Tomas, Juana, and their two children, Cecilia and Jacinto. |