When our nonprofit helps bring clean water access to a new area, we carefully consider the right system for each unique community. The needs, environment, resources, and sustainability factors vary. Here are some of the common options we evaluate:

• Wells access groundwater reservoirs below ground. They require drilling boreholes but provide relatively reliable access.

• Rainwater harvesting uses rooftops and tanks to capture and store water from rainfall. This works well in humid regions but requires backup in dry periods.

• Sand dams are built across seasonal rivers to trap wet season flow in upstream sand reservoirs, accessed via wells.

• Piped water systems channel water from sources like springs into community tap stands via gravity-fed pipes.

• PlayPumps utilize children's play energy on merry-go-rounds to pump underground water into storage tanks.

• Biosand filters remove pathogens and contaminants using layered sand, gravel and microbes.

• Solar disinfection uses UV rays to kill germs in stored water inside clear bottles.

Each community presents a unique challenge. Our water experts assess the climate, geography, population size, local resources, environmental impact, maintenance needs, and sustainability when advising on the optimal system. Combining solutions is often best, like pairing wells with rainwater harvesting. With the right approach, we can provide long-term water security.

What questions do you have about water systems? Let us know in the comments!