12 Clean Water Charity Organizations We’re All Counting On

The Global Journal estimates that there are around 10 million NGOs worldwide (Tech Report). While it's difficult to determine how many of these organizations are dedicated to the water crisis, Guidestar, the leading database in NGO stats and information, provides about 18,000 results when inquiring of water-related NGOs. And while many of these organizations operate on a local level or address water needs as a supplement to other concerns, very few focus primarily on the water crisis on a global scale.

As with all NGOs, transparency and revenue circulation is always a legitimate concern for supporters. According to Johns Hopkins University, if all NGOs formed a country, it would have the 5th largest economy in the world (Non-profit Action). With reports of corruption circulating in the NGO world, it is no wonder why skepticism would cause hesitation in donors.

While water isn't the most popular topic among humanitarians and NGOs, it is undoubtedly an increasing, distressing concern. According to the CDC, 780 million people worldwide do not have access to a clean water source, and an estimated 2.5 billion do not have access to improved sanitation. These stats gravely contribute to 3.4 million people who die each year from waterborne diseases, which is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, as reported by the World Health Organization (Oosterveen).

With rising concerns about water scarcity and the overwhelming number of NGOs, we've compiled a list of the most reputable, most active NGOs which are actively and efficiently engaging the global water crisis.

Charity Water is an NGO aimed at providing clean and safe water to people living in developed countries. This organization prides itself on transparency; funds received through donations are used to sponsor safe water projects. In addition, all projects are proven via the use of photos and GPS, making it possible for donors to see how their money is being spent. Their mission is not only to solve the water crisis in developing countries but to reinvent charity. With approximately 28,389 water projects in about 26 developing countries, Charity Water has provided safe and clean water to over 8 million people. In December 2013, Charity Water provided water to the Bandundu Region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, a project which currently serves approximately 250 people.

Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, this not-for-profit organization with the objective of making safe water and sanitation available to all through affordable financing is proud to have empowered the lives of about 12 million people worldwide. In an effort to avoid using charity as a long-term solution, the organization created the WaterCredit scheme which makes household sanitation and safe water a reality through the provision of expert resources as well as small and affordable loans. Their commitment to providing safe water and sanitation to everyone has earned them a 4-star rating and has caused them to be ranked among the top 10% of global charities when it comes to financial accountability and transparency.

Clean Water Fund is focused principally on the development of environmental leadership, bringing together and working in collaboration with different constituencies to improve lives, while focusing on environmental, consumer and community problems. Ever since its inception in 1978, this organization has aided in the successful campaigning for safer and cleaner water and air, and protection from toxic pollution. These programs are complemented by Clean Water Action, which has played a major role in developing, strengthening, and defending the major water and toxic laws in the nation, especially as many drinking water sources are continually threatened by overconsumption, pollution, and even climate change.

Water Aid seeks to make a difference by ameliorating access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene to some of the world’s poorest locales. By making an effort to influence decision-makers and working with partners, this organization helps residents of very poor communities to gain access to clean and safe water and sanitation. Their local partners understand the issues plaguing communities and by working with these partners, they are able to set up and manage sustainable and practical projects which make a real positive impact on the communities. In addition, they play an important role in recognizing the vital role that water, sanitation, and hygiene play in reducing poverty.

This Christian clean water NGO believes that clean and safe water is extremely necessary for human survival and is regarded as the first step to climb out of poverty. Found over four decades ago, Lifewater International has made its mission the provision of safe and clean water to impoverished women and children in addition to improved health and sanitation. They also pride themselves on their level of accountability and transparency and stay on top of their projects by performing systematic checks on projects even after completion to make sure they are in good condition and are functioning properly. In Bensa, Ethiopia, Lifewater International provided clean and safe water, hygiene, sanitation, and gospel to over 300 people.

With their mission of making safe and clean water available to a billion people by the end of 2020, WaterisLife is playing a huge and active part in the fight for safe and clean water. They make clean and safe water available to those in need. Also, by using innovative technology, they have made a number of equipment that is necessary for the fight for safe and clean water as they help make clean water available to those in rural communities. Some of this equipment includes the WaterisLife straw which instantly filters water and makes it pure and safe for drinking. Others include the Sun Spring and the Nano Bucket. They also build water pumps in rural communities to make water available to the less fortunate.

WaterLex was created to play a part in the enforcement of the human right to safe water and sanitation which was recognized by the UN General Assembly in 2015. Their main objective is to use Sustainable Water Management to attain Sustainable Water Governance. This organization which liaises between academic institutions, human rights mechanisms, and development agencies has built its credibility largely because of its members, some of whom are internationally-acclaimed human rights specialists including various former UN Human Rights Council mandate holders and Regional Treaty Body experts. Its expertise in assistance and research with regards to the human right to water and sanitation cannot and should not be undermined.

This international platform comprised of various stakeholders has as its mission the mobilization of action on crucial issues pertaining to water at all levels. It does this by challenging traditional thinking and organizing debates related to political issues pertaining to water security, sustainability, and adaptation. Their major objective is to increase the impact, visibility, and impact of water issues among major stakeholders in an effort to solve the critical water challenges plaguing the world today. They also finance water infrastructure and increase resilience at all levels such as during major world summits.

By providing reliable water projects to sib-Saharan African communities, this Nom-Profit Organization plays an important role in the fight against poverty by providing clean and safe water to the less fortunate. Having been in operation for ten years, their training, expertise, and financial support through their staff and implementing partners have played a major role in carrying out sustainable water projects in sub-Saharan African communities. Most of their funds are donations that are put to good use. Above, all the organization values accountability and transparency and makes sure that their donors are satisfied.

This NGO seeks to provide cheap and sustainable humanitarian programs and water-treatment solutions in developing countries. Their services include disaster and emergency relief. Their range of SAFE WATER water-filtration products helps to bring clean and safe water to those in need. In partnership with over 48 NGOs and aid organizations, SkyJuice has succeeded in installing over 5,900 SAFE WATER filters in over 70 countries worldwide. By doing so, they are achieving their objective of supplying safe, affordable, and portable water outcomes. Their use of innovative technology is necessary for rural and urban communities alike, especially in third-world countries.

Save The Water is a Not-For-Profit Organization dedicated to water research. They seek to research into and identify harmful chemicals in water and remove them in order to improve the quality of the water and of human health. Water, nowadays, can contain chemicals that are harmful to human health in both the short or long run. As a result, Save The Water carries out research to identify these chemicals and remove them in order to guarantee safe and uncontaminated water for all. Also, they believe that their research will positively impact medical, environmental, and analytical sciences which explains why it shares its findings and knowledge through educational programs and resources

This Liberian-based and founded NGO is a water charity that seeks to give all Liberians access to clean and safe water as well as the gospel by 2020. This organization seeks to ameliorate the standards of living of this country known to be one of the poorest countries in the world by eliminating water scarcity while preaching the good news of Jesus Christ.  With clean and safe water and the gospel, entire villages in Liberia have been transformed and continue to be transformed thanks to donations from men and women of goodwill whose dream is to help those who are less fortunate.