About
Living Water International is a Christian water development nonprofit headquartered in Stafford, Texas, that helps communities in developing countries gain access to clean water alongside sanitation and hygiene education. Founded in 1990 by a group from Houston who had traveled to Kenya and witnessed the need for clean water firsthand, the organization has completed more than 25,000 water projects and today works in 15 countries around the globe.
Mission
In the organization's words: "Living Water International exists to demonstrate the love of God by helping communities acquire desperately needed clean water, and to experience 'living water'—the gospel of Jesus Christ—which alone satisfies the deepest thirst." Its strategic vision is to "bring water, for life, in Jesus' name, to our neighbors around the world."
What they do
- Community-based water solutions, including well drilling and rehabilitation, delivered through multi-year WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) Program Areas that typically run 5-7 years
- Sanitation improvement and hygiene education alongside water access
- Training programs, run since 1997, that have equipped thousands of people in shallow well drilling, pump repair, and hygiene education
- Church partnership and community engagement as part of its current "Overflow" strategy, which focuses on sustainable, climate-resilient WASH programs
History
Living Water International began in 1990 after a group from Houston, Texas traveled to Kenya and saw the need for clean water. They returned home, established a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and equipped and trained a team of Kenyan drillers; Living Water Kenya began operations the following year under the direction of a national board. Since then the organization has expanded across Africa, Latin America, and beyond.
Scale and impact
Living Water reports more than 25,000 completed water projects and operations in 15 countries. Published results from completed WASH Program Areas include: basic water access in Ruhaama, Uganda rising from 35% to 64% with 98% of households having a latrine; access to improved water sources in Tola, Nicaragua growing from 36% to 67%; basic drinking water access in Kisumu, Kenya rising from 28% to 68%; and latrine access in Chirundu, Zambia growing from 54% to 92%.
Financials
Per Living Water International's fiscal year 2023 Form 990 data on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (EIN 76-0324875), the organization reported total revenue of about $24.2 million, total expenses of about $25.3 million, and year-end assets of about $7.1 million. It is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) based at 4001 Greenbriar Dr., Stafford, TX.