Globally, 785 million people still lack basic water service—a drinking water source that is accessible within a 30-minute round trip from  their home. Even more people, 2 billion, still do not have access to basic sanitation—a toilet or latrine that is not shared with other households. All human beings share the need for drinking water and sanitation, and the people with least access to them pay a steep price in health, wealth, and dignity. 

But there is another side to this story: Many people who lack access to water and sanitation know exactly how to solve their problems. They may just need to connect to an existing water system, buy a toilet, or set up a rainwater harvesting system using readily available labor, technology, and materials. Their solutions are in plain sight. They just need a financial bridge to reach them.

To continue reading, click here to download the article from the Spring 2018 edition.