Water Connections Reservoir Funding | Clean Water Sumba

Why are Water Connections reservoirs urgently needed

• Water scarcity: In many villages of East Sumba, families still depend on distant seasonal sources that often dry up during the prolonged dry season.
• Long droughts: The dry season can last up to 9 months, leaving entire communities with minimal, unreliable access to safe water.
• Unsafe water: Many families drink untreated water from ponds or shallow wells, increasing exposure to parasites and diarrhoeal diseases.
• Public health: Lack of clean water directly contributes to infections, dehydration, malnutrition, and preventable illnesses.
• Walking distance: Women and children often walk several kilometres each day to fetch small amounts of water.
• Time loss: Hours spent searching for water reduce time for school, farming, childcare, and community activities.
• Children’s health: Unsafe water and poor hygiene leave children vulnerable to frequent infections and chronic digestive diseases.
• School hygiene: Without reliable water, schools struggle to maintain basic hygiene standards for students and teachers.
• Women’s burden: Women carry the daily responsibility of water collection, often walking long distances under extreme heat.
• Food preparation: Safe water is vital for cooking, washing food, and preventing contamination in daily meals.
• Sanitation: Limited water makes basic hygiene difficult, increasing the spread of preventable diseases.
• Climate change: Rainfall patterns are becoming more unpredictable, making water storage systems increasingly vital.
• Rainwater harvesting: Reservoirs capture rain during the wet season and store it safely for months of drought.
• Community resilience: A single reservoir can supply clean, filtered water for families, schools, and nearby households.
• Health impact: Access to stored rainwater improves hygiene, reduces disease risk, and strengthens community health.