We always spend 100% of your money on water projects in the field – and we’re committed to using it in the most effective way to fight the water crisis. This means investing in more than just the materials that build a well. 

Here are some of the things needed to complete a successful water project:

Construction costs.

The hardware of the physical water project. Includes studies to figure out where to build the project, cement, pipes, a drilling rig's operation (including the drill team) and hand pump materials.

Local staff costs.

The teams who make clean water flow in the areas we work. Includes their salaries and benefits, as well as local office costs to make sure they have electricity, computers, cars and phones to run a water program.

Community costs.

Mobilizing the community to be ready, able and inspired to manage their new water project. Includes staff time for training the community to maintain their project over time.

Capacity building.

Support for in-country experience, skills and equipment that will be used to build and scale charity: water’s programs (such as drill rigs). 

Monitoring.

We can’t address problems if we don’t know where they exist, so we invest in systems that track the water project’s functionality so our partners know the status of each project.

Maintenance.

Routine training for community members on maintaining water projects. Tightening bolts, greasing chains, changing washers and other basic upkeep can save a water project from breaking down or needing major repairs.

Sanitation.

Toilets, handwashing stations and promoting improved sanitation. Simply giving someone a latrine doesn’t mean you’ve solved the problem; they must want to use it and understand its impact on their health. We help develop sanitation markets, which build a local economy around toilet services. We also fund bathrooms at institutions like schools and health clinics, to make them cleaner, safer and more desirable places to be.

Hygiene.

Changing behavior is often key to preventing diseases, and whenever possible, we support handwashing training as well as training on food protection, safe water storage and other behaviors.

Reporting.

The equipment for our partners to gather your project’s data. Includes GPS devices, basic cameras and travel costs so field staff can reach every single completed water project.

The average cost of implementing a charity: water project is $5,000, though you can see here how the cost of each project depends on many different things.