Hill access for water in Laindatang
Repairing a remote slope to reach clean water
Step-by-step construction of Fair Future’s 115 m³ rainwater reservoir in Laindatang—built without electricity, road access, or water, to store and filter clean rainwater for the entire village.
Access road repair Laindatang
Creating access to the water source in Laindatang involved rebuilding a damaged limestone road so machinery and teams could reach the future reservoir site. Without this effort, no clean water system could be constructed. This is the first step towards reducing disease and improving community health.
Reaching the top of Laindatang is already a challenge for pedestrians, and even more so for machinery. To create access to the hill for water, our teams from Fair Future and Kawan Baik spent days repairing the broken limestone slope. Each metre required stones, shovels, and coordination to prevent vehicles from slipping on the soft white surface. Without a safe access route, no reservoir foundation could be excavated, and the village would continue relying on unsafe water sources that cause diarrhoea, skin infections, and chronic dehydration in children.
Once the access road was stabilised, the excavator could finally ascend to the designated location. This enabled us to begin shaping the foundation for a reservoir that will transform daily life. The 115,000-litre structure will store enough clean water to reduce waterborne diseases and improve hygiene significantly. Repairing this hill road is not only an engineering task; it is a health intervention. Every metre of repair means fewer sick families in the future, and a community moving from survival to stability. Hill access for water marks the start of long-term health improvements.
Today, the 9th of December 2025 – Alex Wettstein
- Download the updated architectural plans for the Laindatang reservoir here
- Learn more about all nine reservoirs by exploring our dedicated gallery of large information panels placed beside each tank here.
- Explore the interactive project map for Laindatang and Hambarita to see the exact location of each reservoir and related works. View the map here.
- Explore the full online gallery of over 66 images from the Laindatang reservoir project here
In Short | A road that carries future health
Before a reservoir can rise, the hill must be made accessible. Rebuilding the broken limestone slope in Laindatang is more than logistics. It is the first medical act, opening the way for clean water that will reduce disease for generations.
Building the Hill Access for Clean Water
Clean water reservoir in Laindatang
Building foundations for long-term community health
Starting this 115,000-litre reservoir in Laindatang meant carving a path into a hill that has never known clean water. To bring the small excavator up there, our teams from Fair Future and Kawan Baik spent days repairing the broken limestone road, pushing stones by hand, guiding the machine metre by metre. On this slope, everything slips: trucks, scooters, people. But without this work, the reservoir’s foundation would simply be impossible.
Once on site, we rechecked every measurement. A structure of this size needs absolute precision because the foundation determines water quality, filtration, and long-term safety. The 300 tonnes of gravel, sand, and cement that will follow the excavator require space, organisation, and the constant presence of people who know this land.
For three days, the excavator cut through the soft limestone basin, revealing the shape of Laindatang’s future water source. This is the first time this hill will receive reliable access to clean water. Families here often spend hours every week collecting a few litres that are not always safe to drink. Waterborne diseases affect children first: diarrhoea, skin infections, dehydration, and repeated fevers.
This work marks the beginning of something vital. A reservoir that will reduce illness, strengthen the community, and give this village what every human being should have: safe water near their home.
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 9th of December, 2025
List of Related Organisations with Hyperlinks
- WaterAid: Enhances access to clean water and sanitation through community systems and hygiene education.
- UNICEF WASH: Promotes safe water for children with scalable programmes and field guidance.
- WHO Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene: Establishes standards and health risk reduction tools.
- Rotary International: Supports community water infrastructure and technical partnerships.
- Malaria Partners International: Fosters malaria prevention at the intersection of water and health.
- SolarBuddy: Supplies solar lights that enhance safety and study time in communities without grid power.
- CDC Safe Water: Provides practical guidance on water safety and disease prevention.
- Sika Group: A global leader in construction materials, including waterproofing membranes.
