Clean Water Infrastructure Built With Communities
Medical-grade water safety in ultra-rural East Sumba
After three weeks of controlled drying, the concrete structure was ready to receive its roof. What followed was not a symbolic step, but a critical medical one. The 86-square-meter light steel roof installed above the reservoir protects harvested rainwater from heat, light, contamination, and biological growth. These factors are essential in preventing bacterial development and maintaining water quality in tropical environments.
The work was carried out entirely by hand. Steel beams were transported up the slope by villagers, guided by Fair Future engineers and coordinated with Kawan Baik field teams. Every measurement was checked repeatedly. The first columns were fixed with precision, as they bear the full load of the structure and ensure long-term stability in a region exposed to strong seasonal winds.
This roof is designed to channel rainwater efficiently toward a three-stage filtration system before it enters the 115,000-litre reservoir. The height, angle, and sealing all follow medical water safety principles. No light enters the tank. No open access remains. Steel hatches, sealed joints, and controlled airflow protect the water from external contamination.
Work continued into the night under headlamps, not out of urgency, but out of responsibility. This reservoir is not just infrastructure. It is a preventive health tool. Clean water reduces diarrheal disease, skin infections, parasitic exposure, and child mortality. Built together, it belongs to the community and will be maintained by it.
We cordially invite all captivated by this story to explore our photo gallery, witness this extraordinary effort, and further engage with our mission through our Instagram account.
Alex Wettstein – Fair Future Foundation medico-social camp in East Sumba – Rumah Kambera, Lambanapu – the 16th of December, 2025
