More lives are lost due to unsafe water than from all forms of violence combined, including war.

When water is not readily available, people often decide hand-washing is not a priority. More than 829,000 people are estimated to die each year from diarrhea, and more than 800 children will die today from preventable diseases caused by unsafe drinking water, sanitation, and hand hygiene.

Women and children spend over 200 million hours every day collecting water. The water they walk so far to collect often carries diseases that can make their families sick. Access to clean water gives families more time to be more productive, go to school, grow crops, and earn an income—all helping to reduce poverty.

Women and children usually carry the burden of collecting water for their households. This means they travel long, dangerous paths to find water. When clean water is accessible close to home, everyone benefits.

Local pastors build credibility and trust by serving their communities with clean water.

When the church is empowered to love in this tangible way, it opens the door for people to experience the source of true, living water, Jesus Christ.