All communities need access to safe drinking water. If water is not treated at the point of delivery, it will require treatment. Most communities do not have water treatment facilities at home and so significant amounts of deforestation are likely to occur where water has to be boiled before consumption and alternative fuels are not available.

For example, women and children are usually the most exposed to smoke from wood burning in the home, therefore have a greater chance of respiratory problems. Women may have to gather firewood, therefore be at greater risk of attack by people or animals. People with disabilities or chronic medical conditions may not be able to access fuel.

Air pollution
Deforestation
Desertification
Loss of biodiversity and ecosystems
Natural Resource depletion
Increased drought / flood

Deforestation and air pollution due to tree cutting as firewood for boiling water.

Boiling water for disinfection consumes limited natural resources and can also contribute to air pollution. This is a particular concern if wood or charcoal is used as this exacerbates deforestation, or if plastic or other toxic materials are used that can have negative respiratory health impacts.

Promote alternatives for water treatment that do not cause deforestation, or provide beneficiaries with efficient stoves

Only promote boiling water as a form of treatment where the likelihood of using firewood (deforestation) is low. For example, where there is no other fuel source or another way to make water safe, coordinate with the NFI sector to also deliver efficient stoves.

If wood is the only option, promote reforestation with fast-growing and high-yield biomass native trees. However, reforestation initiatives are notoriously prone to failure because they require many years of care and support to be successful.

Filtration or solar disinfection systems can be promoted as more environmentally sustainable alternatives if water testing demonstrates these options are sufficient.

Many communities whose water sources are polluted, resort to cutting treas or creating charcoal in order to boil water to clean water. This would not be necessary if water was protected from pollution. If water was protected then the cutting of trees for charcoal and boiling water would be reduced substantially.

% of households trained about purification techniques that do not cause environmental damage, including how to use them

% of households using water purification technology that does not cause environmental damage

Prevention of environmental damage

Time and money for procuring, distributing efficient water filters/home water treatment, and for training affected populations in their use, maintenance, and safe water storage.