Tapping into clean water

Water Aid Australia has benefitted from a donation from a local water authority.

Central Highlands Water (CHW) raised, and donated $10,918, by team members in recognition of World Water Day on Wednesday 22 March.

The donation will support the important work Water Aid does in Papua New Guinea, like the recently completed program in the Wewak District, which focused on increasing equitable and universal access to sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services.

CHW Managing Director, Jeff Haydon, said World Water Day was an important day “to reflect on those not as fortunate as ourselves”, lacking reliable access to safe and sustainable water and wastewater services.

“Access to safe water and sanitation can sometimes be taken for granted, but World Water Day, and the work of Water Aid, reminds us that for many, seeking water is a daily struggle,” he said.

Prior to the commencement of the project, only 37 per cent of the Wewak population had access to an improved water supply, 36 per cent had access to safely managed sanitation, and less than 1 per cent of the population had access to basic handwashing facilities.

Following the introduction and improvement of WASH infrastructure across 10 rural communities, one healthcare facility and four schools; a total of 3,296 people, including 1,654 women and girls and 275 people with disabilities, have been reached with improved access to clean, safe water.

An additional 4,091 school students can now access clean water and sanitation at school.

Mr Haydon said CHW supports Water Aid’s efforts to improve communities’ access to WASH. CHW team members also hold fundraisers, to provide further assistance.

“Increasing WASH services improves equity in regions where lack of water access limits the ability of girls to engage in regular education; and where poor sanitation poses significant health risks for people with disabilities,” he said.

WaterAid Australia Chief Executive, Rosie Wheen said this year’s World Water Day theme of Accelerating Change sends a clear message that faster progress is possible, necessary, and something we should all be striving for.

“We know that water, sanitation and hygiene are 3 absolute essentials in allowing people to live dignified, healthy lives. But we also know so many people around the world are lacking these 3 basic human rights, and that progress so far has been too slow,” Ms Wheen said.

The donated funds as part of World Water Day were raised by CHW team members through a workplace giving program and a series of internal events, coordinated by a volunteer committee of staff.