Clean Water

Why


Access to clean water is a fundamental human need that must be met if we expect to sustain progress toward ending poverty, ensuring access to education, and improving global health standards.

By the Numbers

  • Globally, 2 billion people use a drinking water source contaminated with feces. 1
  • 771 Million people still lack access to basic drinking water services.2
  • 122 million people still use surface water as their primary source of water.3

Access to clean water can change everything.


When families have access to clean water, it does more than improve health. Because, when your children are healthy, they can attend school regularly and excel in their studies. When you are healthy, you can take advantage of available economic opportunities. When you aren’t spending your hard-earned income on medication, you can invest in your family’s future.

We know how to make dirty water clean.


Our Rwandan volunteers know the value of access to clean water. And they are ready to do the long-term work to bring access to clean water to their communities. By equipping these local volunteers with the filter components, training, staff support, and the financial resources they need, we can help solve a global problem through local action.

After one year of having a filter, families report greatly improved health and fewer visits to the health clinic.

Where


Our current focus is in Rwanda. Sub-Saharan Africa is ranked as one of the world’s most underserved areas for access to clean water.

Rwanda, Africa

1°56.633′S 30°3.567′E

Rwanda is a poor, rural country located in south-central Africa. With 80% of its population struggling to make it by with mainly subsistence agriculture, the 1994 genocide decimated their already fragile economic base. Today, though making strides to regain their economic stability, the population below the poverty line remains at nearly 45%. Specifically, we work along the Nyabarongo River, serving 8 rural sectors that use the river and adjacent swamps as their main water source.

How


Solving a problem starts with understanding the problem, which is why 20 Liters' approach to making dirty water clean starts with education. Once you understand the issue more fully, you can start to advocate for solutions. But advocacy alone isn’t enough. So, finally, we find ways to put your hands to work to make dirty water clean.

Faustin’s Story

Faustin’s Story

Our Solutions


Training local people to implement the solutions empowers them to lead and make the program sustainable. Patrice has been a key volunteer since 2011.

WASH 101

WASH 101: Stay In Your Lane

If there is one thing that we’ve definitely established so far in this WASH 101 series, it is that there isn’t a single solution for making dirty water clean. Each… Read More

WASH 101: Physical Interventions – Filtration

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have finally made it to the final category of clean water solutions. And yes, we saved our favorite for last: Filtration. But before we get to… Read More

WASH 101: Physical Interventions – Sedimentation and Adsorption

At this point in this series, you may be questioning the rigidity of these solution categories. As we briefly mentioned in our post on antimicrobial metals, there are a few… Read More

WASH 101: Physical Interventions – Boiling and Distillation

We’re finally to our final category of solutions! Physical Intervention – specifically Boiling & Distillation. The physical intervention category is designed to cover the most basic, simplest forms of interventions…. Read More

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You can Make a Difference

We're making dirty water clean. But we can't do it alone.

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