I m pr ov e Yo u r Wat er Su pply
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Decide what each water source should be used for, especially if there is little water
or it is difficult to get to. Building rainwater catchment tanks, storage tanks,
or a piped water system may help bring water closer to the community
(see pages 86 to 91). If this is not possible, the community can still try to
make sure there is enough safe water for everyone:
• share the work of collecting water
• show everyone how to keep water safe from germs (see pages 92 to 99).
If there already is a water system, the community can:
• improve the ways water is collected
• fix broken pipes and pumps
• protect water sources upstream
• find new ways to protect and save water
If there is a possibility the water may be contaminated by toxic chemicals, use a
different water source until a water quality test can be done. If a test shows
the water is contaminated, keep using a different water source and work
toward getting rid of what caused the contamination. Try to prevent the
pollution of your water by demanding that industries dispose of their waste
safely and use cleaner production methods, and by asking farmers to use
fewer pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
Health workers and water safety promoters can help the community improve water security.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012