Clean Water

Clean Water is one of The Salvation Army International Development UK's five areas of work.

We are working with communities around the world to access clean water and improved sanitation. 

The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom and Ireland territory supports Clean Water projects around the world, including spring protection in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the construction of school toilets in Malawi and the installation of rainwater harvesting tanks in Kenya.

By improving access to clean water and sanitation facilities, The Salvation Army is supporting communities to become healthier and more able to use their time and skills on education and income generation activities.

Spend a Penny this World Toilet Day!

This World Toilet Day (19 November), support our clean water projects by donating £1 for every time you use the loo!

Over 1.5 billion people do not have basic sanitation services (such as a private toilet or latrine). Without a safe place to use the loo, people are vulnerable to disease and in danger of violence. When schools don't provide private toilets, girls are more likely to skip school, damaging their education and limiting their potential.

The Salvation Army is constructing school toilets as part of clean water and sanitation projects around the world. Each World Toilet Day, let us help students by donating £1 (or more) each time you use the loo!

Why not use our Toilet Tally Colouring Sheet to keep track then, at the end of the day, donate the money online.

What does "Spend a Penny" mean?

"Spend a penny" is a British phrase that simply means to use the toilet. It refers to the former use of coin operated locks on public toilets which, you've guessed it, cost 1 penny. Nowadays public toilets are often free, though in some places there is still a fee to pee! 

The term "spend a penny" may be old-fashioned but the need it represents remains! Everyone needs to use the toilet but not everyone has access to clean, safe and private facilities. By taking part in the "Spend a Penny, Give a Pound" fundraising challenge we can support projects to ensure more people can stay safe and healthy!

Thank you for your support!

Karonga, Malawi

In Karonga, Malawi, The Salvation Army has worked in partnership with community members to find sustainable solutions to water scarcity.

One element of the large-scale, integrated project based in this area is the construction of boreholes in village centres.

Esther Kaonga is chairperson of her village development committee in Lameck Kambombo in the northern district of Karonga where she lives with her husband and four children. She shares the impact that the new borehole has had for her family and others living in the area:

‘We reached out to The Salvation Army because we were having problems with diseases, and disagreements between people in the village. The water we were using was contaminated and we suffered from diseases like cholera and malaria.

We drew water from the rivers and had no way to treat the water so we fell sick again and again.

My children are clever, but because I needed their help collecting water, they would miss classes. It was hard for them.

Now, we are flexible, we are happy and we are hygienic. Now, we drink safe water. There is no more malaria in the community. The project has also included training community members on construction and usage of pit latrines, and how to install tippy taps for handwashing.

We are thankful for this borehole – it has given us new life!’

Areas of Work

We work alongside communities in the areas of Anti-Trafficking, Clean Water, Emergency Response, Food Security, and Women and Girls to support them to overcome poverty and injustice. We are also responsible for overseeing the transfer of funds for the UK’s Mission Support Allocation (money donated through the annual Self-Denial Appeal).