“The earth is the Lord‘s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein…” — Psalm 24:1
The Earth is one of our greatest gifts, yet likely one thing we often take for granted. As we recognize Earth Day 2023, we are challenged to “act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably),” considering our part in stewarding this important resource.
At Water Mission, our mission is to honor God by developing, implementing, and sharing best-in-class safe water solutions that transform as many lives as possible, as quickly as possible. Solar-powered pumping is one way we can serve our global neighbors while being good stewards of God’s creation.
With the use of solar-powered water pumps, Water Mission is leading the way in innovation that reuses natural resources and protects the earth. We act boldly to implement advanced technologies that save energy and provide sustainable, long-term solutions to those in need. Learn more about our solar-powered pumping research.
More than 2.2 billion people lack access to safe water. According to the World Bank, “In many communities, ground water is extracted through electric water pumps, which use diesel to fuel their systems. However, these systems not only require costly, regular servicing and the purchasing of fuel, they emit carbon dioxide polluting the atmosphere.”
Solar-powered pumping systems significantly reduce power costs by decreasing or eliminating reliance on expensive conventional power sources.
Installing water systems in remote areas of developing countries, as well as in disaster-stricken areas, has required new levels of innovation and technology. The desire for consistent and expanded use of sustainable, renewable, and economical power sources led to the development of the Solar Powered Water Systems Design and Installation Guide. Co-authored by UNICEF and Water Mission, this detailed document was the first of its kind and now provides internationally recognized technical standards for implementing solar-powered water systems in rural contexts. This resource is available in English, Spanish, and French and is hosted by the Global Water Center.
With more than 1,400 solar powered water pumps installed worldwide, Water Mission is providing environmentally and financially beneficial solutions for the communities we serve. Solar is a dependable, clean, renewable source of energy. This also provides an advantage in disaster situations when other power options have been disrupted or destroyed.
In addition, Water Mission is working to support other water organizations and governments who also seek to use this renewable energy approach. Working in collaboration with UNICEF, Water Mission provides free technical support for solar-powered water pumping systems through the West Central Africa Region Solar Hub.
Our commitment to creating sustainable solutions and our continued use of solar-powered pumping systems confirms the technology’s viability and cost effectiveness for delivering safe water to people in need. Using solar powered pumps is just one of the ways Water Mission works to steward the earth’s resources God so richly provides.
To learn more about how our Christian faith compels us to develop and implement innovative solutions that transform lives, visit watermission.org/about-us/our-beliefs.