Our history
We started in 1981 because no charity like us existed. We'll end when no charity like us is needed. Read the story of what our supporters have achieved.
1980s 1980s
The Thirsty Third World Conference brings members of the UK water industry together. They decide to unite, to reach the millions of people living without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.
WaterAid is officially established on 21 July 1981. Our first projects start in Zambia and Sri Lanka.
We’re working with local partners in ten countries.
Your support has helped us to reach 350,000 people.
1990s 1990s
The former Prince of Wales becomes our first president.
We begin work on our 1,000th project.
We fund the Hitosa Gravity Scheme, the largest single water supply scheme in Ethiopia, reaching 50,000 people.
We become one of Glastonbury Festival's chosen charities, along with Oxfam and Greenpeace.
Our first advocacy report, Mega-slums: the coming sanitary crisis, is released.
Thanks to amazing people like you and our partners around the world, we've enabled over six million people to build a better life.
2000s 2000s
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) aim to halve the number of people living without clean water by 2015.
Alongside other groups, we successfully lobby to get sanitation added to the list of MDGs.
The UN declares clean water a human right.
We're now working in 15 countries.
WaterAid becomes a global organisation, welcoming America and Australia as members.
The UN declares an International Year of Sanitation. With toilets still a neglected topic, we address the UN commission for sustainable development, highlighting their importance.
WaterAid Sweden is founded.
We've reached 13.4 million people with clean water and 8.1 million with decent toilets.
2010s 2010s
Access to decent toilets is declared a human right.
Your support for our Big Dig appeal raises over £2 million for our work in rural Malawi, bringing clean water, toilets and hygiene to more than 134,000 people.
WaterAid Japan is founded. We also join forces with charity WaterCan, who go on to become WaterAid Canada.
In May, we launch an ambitious new global strategy to reach everyone, everywhere with clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.
You join forces to create our biggest ever petition of 115,056 signatures, calling on the UK Government to help the millions of people still living without clean water, toilets and hygiene.
WaterAid India celebrate becoming a WaterAid member.
Our supporters raise an astonishing £4,997,482 for our Deliver Life appeal. With many gifts matched by the UK Government, it’s enough to reach over 120,000 mums and their families with clean water.
We've reached 27 million people with clean water, 27 million with decent toilets and 20 million people with good hygiene, and counting...
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