How Much Have South West Water Customers Really Donated? The Figure May Surprise You

South West Water customers have now raised more than £11.4 million for international charity WaterAid since 1990 – including a further £653,000 in donations last year alone.

These latest contributions in 2024 are enough to provide clean water to over 30,700 people, supporting WaterAid’s ongoing work to improve global access to safe water.

Transforming Lives in Malawi

This support is making a real difference in regions like the Mangochi District in Malawi, where local communities are dealing with extreme drought, food insecurity and the effects of a recent cholera outbreak.

Thanks to the backing of South West Water customers, WaterAid has been working with local organisations to install a solar-powered water system. The system includes eight taps and provides a reliable water supply to the local primary school and surrounding community.

Sileni, a 33-year-old mother from Mangochi, described how access to clean water has transformed daily life.

“The past was a time of hardship. Life was hard then. But now there is water nearby. When the children come back from school and are doing their household chores, they can just draw however much water they need at that moment, and then go and do whatever they want afterwards.”

📷Sileni Gunizani, 33, washing clothes with clean water, M’doko, Malawi. June 2024. Credit - WaterAid / Sophie Harris-Taylor

Helping Girls and Women Thrive

The new water system means that women and girls no longer have to walk long distances to fetch dirty water – giving them more time to focus on education, work and family life.

Dani Twelvetree, South West Water’s WaterAid Co-Chair, said:

“We are incredibly proud of the support our customers have provided to WaterAid. The positive impact their contributions have made is truly remarkable. Access to clean water is essential to health and wellbeing, and our customers are helping to make a lasting difference in communities that need it most.”

Why World Water Day Matters

With World Water Day taking place this month, South West Water says it’s a timely reminder of how collective customer action can have a global impact.

WaterAid continues to work with communities around the world to deliver sustainable, long-term access to clean water – thanks in no small part to the ongoing support of people across the South West.

To find out how you can support WaterAid, visit their website: https://www.wateraid.org/uk/