How did you start your day today? With a shower, followed by a hot drink perhaps? You may have washed up your breakfast bowl, gone to the toilet and washed your hands to set yourself up for the day.

We depend on clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene so much while going about our everyday routines to help us keep clean, comfortable and healthy. But can you imagine how different life would be without these three things?

That's the reality for millions of people we work for and with, who are living in poverty and excluded from mainstream services. Without clean water, people – often women and girls – have no choice but to walk long distances to fetch and drink dirty water. This impacts their health, their education and their livelihoods. And climate change is making their situation worse; every day, already fragile water supplies are at even greater risk of disappearing completely.

It might not seem obvious that the three go hand in hand. But without decent toilets, water sources can become contaminated. And without clean water, we can’t have good hygiene practices that stop the spread of disease. 

We’re not here for short-term fixes. With local communities we find sustainable solutions so that people can change their lives for good. Will you help us get there?

Supporters like you have helped us reach over 28.5 million people with clean water around the world, but we won’t stop until everyone, everywhere has it.

Shoroshoti, Munjuri and Nepal's daughter, Kolbari, Bangladesh.
Image: WaterAid/ Fabeha Monir

It’s a little-known fact that 1 in 5 people don't have their own toilet. Slowly, we're making progress, but with your help, we can speed things up.

Gopal Mondol (50) is one of the Munda Community leaders trying to change the habits of his community through WASH practices.Kaliganj, Satkhira, Bangladesh. December 2022.
Image: WaterAid/ Fabeha Monir

Together with clean water and decent toilets, good hygiene practices can dramatically improve – and even save – people’s lives.

Princess, 11, and Angel, 11, washing their hands and faces at one of the primary school's handwashing stations near the canteen, Vhembe district, Limpopo province, South Africa, June 2023.
Image: WaterAid/ Ernest Randriarimalala

We work with communities who've been hit hardest by climate change to make sure they have a reliable supply of water and decent toilets, whatever the weather.

Julius Chisengo (53) is the Group Operator for the DEWATS, with Ladislaus Stephano (42) a site worker in Kigamboni, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. March 2021
Image: WaterAid/ Sam Vox

Women and girls are disproportionately affected by a lack of clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.

Shapna Baidya, Mallika Baidya, Chandana Rani, Anita Rani and Parul Rani Baidya, members of the Reverse Osmosis Plant Committee, Borokuput, Shyamnagar, Bangladesh.
Image: WaterAid/ Fabeha Monir

Each year, we work with communities to create a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water.

Mastewal Gebremichael (26) drinks water from a glass, Ambomesk, Ethiopia. April 2023.
Image: WaterAid/ Rachel Seidu

Facts and statistics

Did you know that 1.5 billion people worldwide don't have their own toilet?

If they did, it could generate billions of dollars!

Find out the facts behind our work
Image: WaterAid/ Ernest Randriarimalala