From Poverty to Possibility: How Clean Water Transformed the Economy of Irimya

In Irimya, Uganda, where clean water once felt like an impossible dream, a quiet revolution is underway. For decades, families here faced the daily burden of fetching unsafe water — a task that drained time, health, and opportunities.

But today, thanks to the completion of Phase One of the Irimya Water Project, those same families are stepping into a future filled with possibility.

At the heart of this transformation is a state-of-the-art water system spanning 19 kilometres, designed to distribute clean water from a sustainable source to 37 taps across 7 villages.

This infrastructure didn’t just bring water; it brought opportunity. With clean water now flowing throughout Irimya, the foundations for health, education, and economic resilience have been laid.

In just one year, the poverty rate in Irimya dropped from 79% to 44%, a transformation that reflects the true power of this project.

From Walking for Water to Building a Future

For women like Janet, life without clean water meant spending hours every day walking long, dangerous distances to fetch it. That walk came at a cost: time that could have been spent working, parenting, or learning.

But with clean water now accessible within a 30-minute round trip for 99% of households (up from just 35%), everything has changed.

Women, who once bore the brunt of water collection, are now pursuing small businesses, participating in community leadership, and contributing to household income. Children who previously missed school to help with water collection are now attending classes regularly, laying the foundation for brighter futures.

Entire families are experiencing a shift — from survival mode to building long-term opportunities for growth.

Clean Water, Healthier Families

Access to clean water doesn’t just save time — it reduces costs and promotes healthier families. Before the water system was installed, waterborne diseases like typhoid and diarrhea plagued the community, with 95.2% of households reporting illness. Today, that number has dropped by 85%, cutting healthcare costs dramatically.

This means money once spent on medicine can now go toward education, starting a business, or even building a more secure home.

The Foundation for Economic Growth

The economic impact of clean water goes beyond individual households. As more families save time and money, the entire community is benefiting. Local markets are seeing increased activity as families invest in small businesses, education enrollment is rising, and fewer days are lost to illness.

In addition to these direct benefits, the project also created local jobs. During the construction phase, community members were hired to lay pipes, build latrines, and manage logistics. This injected much-needed income into the local economy and built skills that will benefit the community for years to come.

The story of Irimya is a powerful reminder that clean water is more than a basic need — it’s a catalyst for change. It’s the foundation for healthier families, thriving schools, and resilient economies.

When you give the gift of clean water, you’re not just filling a tap. You’re filling homes with hope, communities with opportunity, and futures with promise. Together, we can move more families from poverty to possibility.