How Access to Clean Water Can Break the Cycle of Poverty
Water is essential for life, yet billions of people worldwide still lack access to clean and safe drinking water.
According to UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 3 people globally do not have access to safe drinking water, and nearly 2 billion people rely on contaminated water sources.
This scarcity of clean water not only compromises health but also perpetuates poverty. When something as basic and as essential as water is scarce, every other resource might truly be a distant dream.
The availability of clean water can be a transformative force, breaking the cycle of poverty for millions of individuals and communities.
But how does lack of clean water affect poverty?
As people living in urban centres, where affluence surrounds us, we might struggle to see the connection between clean water and poverty. However, in several parts of rural India, lack of clean water affects health, education, economic productivity, and gender equality, creating a cycle of deprivation that is difficult to escape.
- Health – Contaminated water leads to waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid. The World Health Organisation estimates that more than 800,000 people die annually from diarrhoea caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation. Frequent illness reduces productivity and increases healthcare costs, straining resources that are already limited.
- Economics – Households without access to nearby clean water sources spend hours fetching water, which reduces the time that might have otherwise been available for income-generating activities. The World Bank reports that women and children spend 200 million hours daily collecting water globally.
- Gender – Women and girls disproportionately bear the burden of water collection, having to walk several miles to get water for the entire family. This unpaid labour limits their opportunities for education and economic participation, reinforcing gender disparities. ● Education – UNESCO estimates that over 443 million school days are lost each year due to water-related illnesses. Children, particularly girls, often miss school to collect water or because of illness from waterborne diseases.
So how does clean water reduce poverty?
Moving onto how access to clean water in India could actually improve life and help reduce poverty as well – serving as a foundation for addressing multiple dimensions that communities face:
- Improved health – Providing clean water reduces the prevalence of waterborne diseases and better health translates into lower healthcare costs and increased productivity. According to reports from WHO, communities that have access to clean water, have 50% less chances of falling ill with problems like diarrhoea.
- Economic empowerment – Clean water infrastructure reduces the time spent by women fetching water from far distances, freeing individuals to engage in education, employment, or entrepreneurial activities. A report by the Global Water Partnership highlights that every $1 invested in water and sanitation yields a $4 economic return.
- Gender equality – As mentioned before, there is often a disproportionate burden on women and girls, as they have to bring the water; but when there is access to clean water, this burden is reduced. This extra time allows them to participate in economic activities, attend school, and engage in community decision-making.
● Enhanced education – With reliable access to clean water, children can spend more time in school. Girls, in particular, benefit as they are no longer burdened with tasks such as water collection. Education empowers individuals to break free from the cycle of poverty by enhancing their skills and becoming employable.
The ripple effects that showcase the importance of clean water and sanitation
Yes, the benefits of clean water extend far beyond immediate health and economic gains, because they trigger what can be best explained as a ripple effect that enhances the overall development of communities.
- For instance, when there is access to clean water, there is necessary support for agriculture and small businesses, which are often the backbone of rural economies. Reliable irrigation systems enable farmers to grow diverse crops, increasing income and food security.
- Several parts of India are vulnerable to climate-induced challenges, such as droughts and water scarcity; but when there is steady and assured access to water, these fears are also reduced.
At Project Chirag, we have been able to see firsthand how water projects often bring communities together, fostering collaboration and reducing conflicts over scarce resources.
Here is how our clean water and sanitation projects transformed lives in Suksale, Maharashtra
Water, more importantly, clean water that can be consumed without fear is more than just an amenity – it’s the basic foundation of life. We at Project Chirag have been making significant strides in bringing clean water to underserved communities. Through our solar energy and clean water and sanitation projects have been able to bring real change to rural India and here is just one such story:
In Suksale, a small village in Vikramgad Taluka, Palghar District, farming is the main occupation. However, due to the lack of reliable water sources, agriculture relies solely on rainfall, which is unpredictable. Despite having a river nearby, the villagers struggled with water scarcity, affecting their ability to grow crops and sustain themselves financially. This situation often forced many to seek work elsewhere. Additionally, inadequate access to clean water and sanitation compounded the health challenges.
To tackle these issues, we collaborated with the Rotary Club of Bombay and Sumitomo Chemical to implement a transformative initiative. This included electrifying homes and streets with solar power, installing household water filtration units, and introducing solar-powered irrigation systems for both agriculture and drinking water.
Here is how local lives changed because of our actions:
- The local farmers had a reliable water supply for irrigation, which helped provide a sustainable income.
- There was an increase in cultivation for both their own and commercial consumption.
- All this reduced the need for migration and empowered farmers and more importantly, women, because they no longer had to go to water sources at all odd hours.
- Clean water also ensured that there were less chances of people falling ill and that allowed children to attend school more regularly.
Suksale is just one story of change and hope and we have many more to share; as we strive to create many more such successes, it is imperative to remember that every drop counts – so, when you donate to support rural development, you are helping bring a better life to the underserved communities of our country.
