Water 1st International is a non-profit organization

Non-profit organization

Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...

 helping people in poor countries implement water

Water

Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...

, sanitation

Sanitation

Sanitation is the hygienic means of promoting health through prevention of human contact with the hazards of wastes. Hazards can be either physical, microbiological, biological or chemical agents of disease. Wastes that can cause health problems are human and animal feces, solid wastes, domestic...

 and hygiene education projects. Water 1st works through locally-based partner organizations to support the implementation of projects that include the provision of drinking water

Drinking water

Drinking water or potable water is water pure enough to be consumed or used with low risk of immediate or long term harm. In most developed countries, the water supplied to households, commerce and industry is all of drinking water standard, even though only a very small proportion is actually...

, hygiene education, and sanitary latrine

Latrine

A latrine is a communal facility containing one or more commonly many toilets which may be simple pit toilets or in the case of the United States Armed Forces any toilet including modern flush toilets...

s. It is based in Seattle, Washington (USA), and to date has supported the construction of 515 water systems in India

India

India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

, Bangladesh

Bangladesh

Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...

, Ethiopia

Ethiopia

Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...

, and Honduras

Honduras

Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...

 benefiting over 63,000 people. Water 1st has committed to funding an additional 75 projects serving 15,000 people in 2010. To help ensure long-term sustainability, the communities supported by Water 1st are involved in every step of the planning, implementing and financing of their projects. Seattle Times

Water 1st is a member of the End Water Poverty coalition http://www.endwaterpoverty.org/members/ and Water Advocates http://www.wateradvocates.org

In 2008, Water 1st launched a new event called CARRY 5. CARRY 5 is a Walk for Water to raise awareness of the global water crisis and funds to support the implementation of projects. Beacon Hill News In 2009-10, there were multiple CARRY 5 events in Seattle and other locations worldwide Carry5.org, http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/fromcomments/291399.php

Water 1st is working with schools to educate children about the global water crisis.http://water1st.org/involved/kids.html As part of this effort, they have created a media library on their website http://water1st.org/media/index.html and on YouTube.http://www.youtube.com/Water1st

External links

• Water 1st - official website
• The WaterLog - blog
• Water 1st on Twitter
• Water 1st YouTube channel
• Water 1st on Facebook
• Water 1st International at IRC Water and Sanitation Centre
• ABC News, Channel 15 (Phoenix) Walk in Tempe aims to help give clean water around the globe - March 22, 2010
• Arizona Daily Star UA event highlights water issues - May 4, 2009
• Seattle Post-Intelligencer Quenching the thirst: Seattle brings the most precious liquid abroad - March 22, 2008
• The Chronicle of Philanthropy Charity Hopes to Put an End to Villages' Water Woes - October 18, 2007
• Puget Sound Business Journal Water 1st makes grants to help groups that help themselves- November 17, 2006
• World Water Day 2007 video clip - Water 1st participates in March 22, 2007 Walk for Water on World Day for Water
  World Day for Water
  'World Water Day' has been observed on March 22 since 1993 when the United Nations General Assembly declared March 22 as World Day for Water....
  
  
• ParentMap magazine A heartbreaking need for clean water - April 1, 2007