Letters | Safe and affordable water for communities is vital

Readers discuss the importance of water distribution projects, the gap between employers and Gen Z workers, and the similarity between two Olympic champions

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People rush to fill water canisters at a Delhi Jal Board tanker in a makeshift settlement in Geeta Colony, New Delhi, on June 26. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 11:30am, 10 Aug 2024

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Access to clean water is a fundamental human right and a necessity for the health and development of communities. The challenge of providing safe water to slums and some other areas is immense, requiring the close collaboration of a broad array of actors. With the Philippines dealing with devastating floods and crippling water shortages, the Philippine Senate’s initiative to establish a department of water resources raises a crucial question of whether this new measure can effectively address these crises.

In recent years, many of the water systems that keep ecosystems thriving and feed a growing human population have become stressed. As a result, around 2 billion people lack access to fresh water, while more than 3 billion people lack adequate sanitation services.

Furthermore, water scarcity directly exacerbates gender inequality, disproportionately affecting women and girls. In many rural areas, they are often the primary water collectors, which limits their educational and economic opportunities.

At Better With Water, we deploy teams on the ground and build connections with local communities so families can have affordable water at home, no matter how financially insecure or remote. The strength of our model lies in its tailored approach to payment systems, whether through door-to-door collection or microcredit. This allows people to pay affordable bills relative to their income. Meanwhile, the design of our water networks eliminates chores like fetching water and reduces contamination risks.

Our endeavours entered a new dimension when we won the Zayed Sustainability Prize. The recognition has propelled us to new heights, enabling us to implement groundbreaking projects in the Philippines and Bangladesh.