Can you imagine not having access to clean water? 

For 2.2 billion people, that’s a reality!

This fundamental human right is something many people take for granted despite the global crisis. Access to clean water improves health, empowers women, enables access to education, increases family income and changes lives.

Thankfully, many organizations have a mission to combat this humanitarian crisis. 

These organizations leverage innovative, sustainable water solutions to ensure communities across the globe have reliable access to safe drinking water.

What do clean water organizations do?

These groups are almost exclusively nonprofit organizations that explore multiple avenues to provide sustainable solutions to clean water access for all. 

Accessibility

The main goal of clean water organizations is to provide clean water to people in impoverished and developing countries. 

Community engagement

Clean water organizations work directly with local communities. They have eyes and ears on the ground in the areas they serve to identify what the needs are and how to create sustainable solutions. 

Advocacy and policy change

In addition to creating access to clean water, some organizations go a step further by advocating for legislation and policies that support safe water for all. 

Education

Many organizations also prioritize educating communities about the importance of hygiene and sanitation. 

Get Involved

Tis’ the season for giving! Here are 10 clean water organizations you can support this holiday season and into the new year!

Charity: Water

Charity: Water is globally recognized as one of the top water charity organizations. In fact, Water.org has received the highest rating for Charity Navigator for more than 10 years. 

Charity: Water believes that every penny counts when it comes to providing clean drinking water, especially to women and girls. Clean water promotes better health, frees up precious time for providing for the family, promotes education, and gives girls confidence. 

With 100% of public donations funding water projects, Charity: Water has implemented over 91,000 projects, impacting over 16 million people. Their sustainable water solutions include drilling wells, providing filtration systems, and rehabilitating existing water sources.

Key highlights

• Operates in 29 countries, including Ethiopia, India, and Cambodia

• Offers transparency by using GPS tracking for projects

  
  

Planet Water Foundation

Planet Water Foundation focuses on deploying water filtration systems in schools and communities in need. 

Their signature project, the AquaTower, is a water filtration system that doesn’t require external power. The AquaTower provides safe drinking water and supports hygiene education.

Since 2022, Planet Water Foundation– and their partnership with MetLife Foundation– have installed 30 AquaTowers in Mexico. The organization now supports over 50,000 people with safe water. 

Key highlights

• Installed projects in 26 countries across Asia and Latin America

• Combines clean water access with hygiene education
  

Water.org

Water.org is a nonprofit that believes water is the best investment you can make in a community. 

Water.org empowers communities with their WaterCredit initiative which offers affordable microloans for water and sanitation projects. These loans help make sustainable access to clean water in rural communities a reality. 

Key highlights

• Has helped over 55 million people gain access to safe water and sanitation

• Works across Asia, Africa, and Latin America

  
  

Water for People

Water for People puts the community at the center of clean water solutions. Water for People’s Everyone Forever model arms communities with the skills and resources they need to make clean water a reality. 

Everyone Forever protects water supplies, trains mechanics, and establishes supply chain efficiency and accessibility so that when inevitable setbacks arise, the community is self-reliant and can find and execute solutions to keep the clean water flowing. 

Key highlights

• Empowers communities through local ownership

• Integrates infrastructure with long-term maintenance

  
  

The Water Project

The Water Project aims to lift and empower the ‘Girl Child’. Many girls spend the majority of their time fetching dirty water. This creates negative ripple effects across the entire community, and the Water Project works hard to change that for the positive. 

 The Water Project focuses on sub-Saharan Africa by providing sustainable water solutions, including well construction and rainwater harvesting systems to end the cycle of poverty. 

This organization emphasizes community ownership by involving local and national leaders. 

Key highlights

• Focuses on Kenya, Uganda, and Sierra Leone

• Offers regular updates and data from implemented projects

US Water Alliance

The US Water Alliance is a nonprofit organization committed to advancing sustainable water policies and programs across the United States to make sustainable water a reality for everyone. 

They focus on creating equitable water management practices and fostering collaboration among their diverse network, which includes public officials, the business community, community leaders, policy organizations, educators, researchers, and more. 

The US Water Alliance advances policies and programs that build a sustainable water future, robust economies, and healthy communities for all.

Key highlights

• Promotes water equity through the One Water initiative

• Advocates for policy changes to ensure resilient water systems

Clean water for all

Supporting clean water organizations doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few ideas of how to help: 

• Volunteer with local watershed protection organizations

• Educate yourself and others about water issues

• Contact elected officials to support water-related policies

• Reduce personal water usage

• Donate to clean water charities

• Participate in community clean-up initiatives focused on waterways and water sources

The fight for clean water is far from over, as millions of people currently struggle to have access to safe drinking water in the face of extreme poverty, underdeveloped nations, climate disasters, and war and civil unrest. 

Yet the unwavering commitment of clean water foundations and water charity organizations drives real progress. 

From large-scale international efforts to localized community projects, these organizations are changing lives through sustainable water solutions. By supporting their work, we can help turn the tide and ensure everyone, everywhere, has access to safe, clean water.

FAQs

What is the best charity to donate for clean water?

Most importantly, find a clean water charity that aligns with your values. You may also consider using Charity Navigator as a resource to see where your monetary donations will have the most impact. 

Water.org has received the highest rating for Charity Navigator for more than 10 years. 

How to give people access to clean water?

A few easy ways to help the clean water initiative include disposing of hazardous waste properly, volunteering in your community, supporting a beach, stream, or wetland cleanup, and donating to clean water organizations like the ones listed above. 

How can we advocate for clean water?

Education is an important first step in becoming an advocate for clean water for all. You can also support water protection policies, volunteer for clean-up efforts, reduce your own water usage and raise awareness through social media. 

Essentially, anything you do to protect water sources and prioritize clean water for all is a way to become an advocate.