10 Faith-Based Nonprofits Fighting the World Water Crisis

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 159 million people get their clean water from surface sources. They might walk for miles each day to a pond that’s contaminated with disease. Or they might rely on a stream that goes dry half of the year.

Even worse, more than half a million people die each year from diarrheal diseases—caused by unsafe drinking water.

Against this backdrop, some important organizations around the globe are fighting back—many of them compelled by their Christian faith. They’re drilling wells, distributing water filters, training people in water maintenance and hygiene. And they’re making a difference.

Faith-based organizations have the advantage of seeing and addressing the spiritual needs of people along with their physical needs. Believing that all people are created in God’s image, they’re compelled to treat them with respect and dignity, as whole human beings. That can make their efforts especially effective.

Here are ten faith-based nonprofit groups working to bring clean water to people who need it.

World Vision

One of the world’s largest non-governmental organizations, World Vision works in more than 100 countries, focusing on child sponsorship, disaster relief, economic empowerment—and helping to provide clean water. Along with individual donations, this venerable nonprofit is able to leverage grants from large organizations, including UNICEF.

Gospel for Asia

Since 2007, this Texas-based organization has worked with local Asian villagers to install wells in poor communities. During 2018, they installed 4,712 clean water bore wells in Asia. To ensure reliable water year-round, Gospel for Asia workers drill up to 600 feet down. To keep costs low, they obtain their well components from local suppliers and use local contractors. Remarkably, they can install a complete “Jesus Well” for only $1,400. Gospel for Asia also makes and distributes portable, affordable filters that can purify contaminated water. In 2008, Gospel for Asia provided nearly 11,451 Biosand Water Filters for Asian families.