The Water Crisis

Around the world, 884 million people do not have access to safe drinking water and 2.6 billion are without adequate sanitation facilities. Every day, nearly 6,000 people who share our planet die from water-related illnesses, and the vast majority are children.

But the real failures are all the broken pumps, filled latrines, and solutions that aren’t. We want to change all that. The solution? Programs that last and examine entire districts and regions rather than purely households and villages. Create solutions that last, and not only do people benefit for a long period, but organizations don’t have to expend time and energy going back again and again to the same location.

Who are we?

Water For People brings together local entrepreneurs, civil society, governments, and communities to establish creative, collaborative solutions that allow people to build and maintain their own reliable safe water systems. Empowering everyone transforms people’s lives by improving health and economic productivity to end the cycle of poverty.

Virginia AWWA/WEA Water For People Committee

The Committee is the local chapter of Water for People (WFP), which is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The Committee is a joint committee of the Virginia Section of the American Water Works Association (VA AWWA) & Virginia Water Environment Association (VWEA). There are many WFP chapters throughout the United States and Canada. Committee members must be an active member in either VA AWWA or VWEA. Committee volunteers include utility directors, engineers, operators, groundwater specialists, professors, and others who are dedicated to the WFP mission. Committee volunteers are eligible for the prestigious Kenneth J. Miller Water For People Founders' Award for outstanding service.

An important objective for the Committee is to raise awareness and provide financial support to water, sanitation and health and hygiene education projects in developing countries. Each year, the Committee holds its major fundraiser, the Herb Evans Memorial Golf Classic. Herb served as a Chair of the Committee and was a vital force in its success. The golf tournament is normally held in the spring at one or more locations in the Commonwealth. Individuals and businesses can participate in the tournament and/or contribute as sponsors in support of WFP activities. For more information on this year’s event please go to the GOLF TOURNAMENT section at the top of this page.

The Committee’s goals include: 
• Raise awareness and financial support through annual Herb Evans memorial golf tournament, normally held in the spring. Raise awareness and financial support through various fund raising opportunities. 
• Support Work Place Giving campaigns for WFP. 
• Raise awareness to businesses, member organizations, and children by sharing the WFP message through presentations. 
• Select WFP projects to be sponsored by the committee 
• Attend annual National WFP workshop with 1 or 2 people.

For more information on how you can get involved please go to the GET INVOLVED section at the top of this page.  
The committee is open to people of all backgrounds.  Our groups is currently comprised of engineers, educators, students, and more. If you have an interest in sustainable development, and in particular water and sanitation issues, we welcome you join our group.

What happens to the funds we raise?

100% of the money we raise goes directly to Water For People to fund sustainable drinking water and sanitation projects. Water For People funds projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Our Volunteer Needs

Water For People has a variety of volunteer programs to engage in. From donating time with World Water Corps to doing data collection, monitoring and analysis of fieldwork, to working with our local committee to fundraise and advocate on our behalf, there is a variety of options.  Our local needs are listed below.   For more information on volunteer opportunity please see the Water for People main volunteer page.  If you would like more information on how you can help please contact the committee leadership.

Sponsorship Coordinator - We currently need help coordinating our sponsors for all our fundraising events.

Golf Classic Subcommittee - Please join this committee and help us plan our annual golf tournament.

Rotary Coordinator - Water For People has a long history of partnering with local rotary clubs.  We are currently looking for someone to coordinate our communication with these clubs.

News

Read up on the latest happenings and events with Water for People!