More than 2.5 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation facilities. Globally, at least 3,000 children die each day from diarrheal diseases caused by unsafe water. Rotaries projects give communities the ability to develop and maintain sustainable water and sanitation systems and support studies related to water and sanitation.
Clean water is a basic human need. When people, especially children, have access to clean water, they live healthier and more productive lives. This motivates our members to build wells, install rainwater harvesting systems, and teach community members how to maintain new water and sanitation infrastructure.
While very few people die of thirst, millions die from preventable waterborne diseases, providing the impetus for our members to also improve sanitation facilities in undeveloped countries. Members start by providing toilets and latrines that flush into a sewer or safe enclosure and then add education programs to promote hand-washing and other good hygiene habits.