Ask the Expert: Clean Water for Everyone

In a world of connectivity and technology, it seems like a simple goal. Clean water for everyone. 

Yet, new data from the United Nations shows that the world’s water problems are not improving. Instead, water sources are being depleted. Millions still lack access to clean water — and many more could soon lose what water they have. 

It is a complex problem without easy solutions. And yet there are things each of us can do — by giving, praying or going — so underserved and overlooked communities can have what they need most. Clean water and Living Water for everyone. 

Unto: How is it possible that so many people still lack access to clean water? 

Haley: Having access to clean water is a complex issue, rooted not only in a lack of infrastructure but also in a history of marginalized communities being overlooked. In many regions, communities are so remote that they often remain invisible to their own governments — left behind by apathy, corruption or a simple lack of resources to reach them. 

Without the equipment to drill a clean water well, or the ability to purchase water filtration systems, families are often stuck in a cycle of poverty. They are forced to spend precious income to purchase safe drinking water, or they must sacrifice large amounts of time, while risking their own safety, to collect water from the nearest source that may be several miles away. Unto is working to reach the places that have been overlooked, providing help and dignity to families in need of clean water access while sharing the hope of Jesus with them at the same time.

Unto: What is Unto doing to bring clean water to communities in need? 

Haley: Unto partners with local missionaries to provide clean water to communities in need by drilling new wells, repairing existing wells, distributing water filters and more. These local missionaries often live and work in the same community as where the projects are taking place, so they are intimately aware of the issues the community is facing. 

Because community needs can vary so greatly, our teams have several different approaches for providing clean water. Sometimes, we hire a reputable local drilling company to drill a new well that will reach groundwater that was previously untapped. Other times, we work with trained Cru staff who are able to repair wells that have stopped working. In other cases, we ship or carry in long-lasting water filters so local missionaries can distribute them to families who would otherwise not be able to access clean water. We are only able to do these projects through the generous gifts of our donors who truly make the work we do possible.

Unto: What makes Unto’s Clean Water Program different from all the others?

Haley: The true distinction of Unto’s Clean Water Program is that we never provide a physical solution without a spiritual strategy. As the humanitarian ministry of Cru, we work with local missionaries who continue to minister long after a well has been drilled or filters have been distributed. They keep sharing the hope of Jesus as God opens doors for them to do so.

A clean water project does not just provide water; it provides our local partners with instant credibility and favor in the eyes of village leaders and families. This open door allows them to share eternal hope in places that were previously closed or hostile to the message of Jesus. Providing clean water is a tangible way to show a forgotten community that God sees them, knows their needs and loves them deeply. 

Unto: How does clean water connect to missions? 

Haley: Jesus himself often met people’s physical needs before addressing their spiritual needs. Humanitarian projects often open the door for local missionaries to have conversations that would otherwise be impossible. 

In many places, going door to door and sharing the good news would result in doors being slammed in your face or even more serious persecution. Addressing the primary physical need of a community builds trust. Jesus Himself provides us with an awesome biblical transition when He tells us in John 4 that he is the Living Water. While our physical bodies grow thirsty day after day, our spiritual thirst can be quenched only by Jesus, through a personal relationship with Him and reconciliation to God. People want and need to hear that! 

Showing someone how to use their new water filter or sharing a message at a well-dedication ceremony is a great way for local missionaries to share about the reason we serve and the Living Water that is offered through Christ.

Unto: Since so many people still lack clean water, can one person really make a difference?  

Haley: It is easy to look at the statistics — millions without water — and feel insignificant. But we have to remember that the world is made up of individuals. While you might not be able to give clean water to a million people, you can provide it to one family. That family’s reality can be entirely redefined because of your generosity. By taking that faithful step, you are not just dropping a bucket in the ocean; you are becoming a conduit for God’s provision. Whether you are giving, going or praying, your contribution makes a difference.