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Clean, Sparkling Water for the Developing World
In most parts of the developed world, water is available upon demand. At any given moment, the citizens of these nations can be able to access fresh, clean and sparkling water. However, hundreds of thousands and in some instances, millions in the developing world are unable to access clean water. Imagine turning the taps on and there is no water gushing out or has been for the past couple of months. Imagine a fire outbreak, the fire hydrants are running dry, resulting into massive property losses and the possibility of loss of lives. These are the daily occurrences in the most parts of the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) gives an estimation of more than half of the populace in the developing countries lacks access to safe water. Often, people and most often women and children have to cover long distances during their search of the precious commodity (World Health Organization).
The lack of access to safe water is a problem that often leads to other complications. For instance, insufficient drinking water will lead to the consumption of contaminated water, which exposes the individuals and communities to water borne diseases such as cholera and amoeba infections. Such complications often lead to death, and rob such communities within such countries of their productive populations and future generations (small children and babies). Another complication as a result of inaccessibility of water is the conflict between individuals and communities. There are numerous reported cases where conflicts have arisen between communities fighting over the limited water resources for their domestic use and their animals especially among the pastoralist communities (Langat).
The governments in developed countries like the USA and others in Europe, private organizations and donors have done their bit in providing the developing countries with funds to enable them improve the supply of clean water to their citizens. However, the provision of the funds alone may not have been the best of means of ensuring success. For example, the governments and donors should target specific projects instead of releasing the funds in a general format. For instance, donor funds should be paid directly to contractors, suppliers, and workers that are involved directly in the water projects. Hence, the donor funds cannot be diverted for other causes by the recipient governments. It is prudent that we agitate the donor community to change so that there is better accountability for their funds.
The proposed solution of financing projects directly will greatly improve water accessibility to the people in the developing world. But how? Once the areas or regions that are in need of water development are identified, it is upon the donors to demand a recognized and approved contractor and suppliers to undertake the works and supply of materials. Upon completion, the contractor will be responsible to the organizations that manage the donor funds and not the governments or local authorities in the area of the water project. The residents will get access to clean and safe water, reduction in diseases and conflicts without the possibility of the donor funds being embezzled or misused. The problem of water scarcity would have thus been solved.
Without the access to clean and safe water, it is difficult for any human being to lead a quality, well deserving life. Water offers people options to live, keep animals and grow their own food (Langat). It is important that the percentage of the people in developing countries who lack access to safe water be reduced drastically by ensuring that every single penny donated for the purpose of availing water is used for only that purpose.

Bibliography
Langat, Wesley. Reuters. 23 November 2015. Web. 10 July 2016. <http://www.reuters.com/article/kenya-climatechange-conflict-idUSL8N13D4G420151123>.
World Health Organization. World Health Organization. n.d. Web. 10 July 2016. <http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/mdg1/en/>.