Water Watch

Safe water for household and other uses is essential for the well-being of human beings. Unfortunately, as economic development in a country increases, water quality often decreases. Heifer is now helping to remedy that situation by empowering villagers to monitor water quality in their local area through cooperative efforts with the Water Watch Program.

Water Watch was initially begun by the Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture of Auburn University in America to train local U.S. residents to monitor the quality of water in their area. Later, the project expanded to the Philippines in a cooperative program with Heifer International Philippines in 1994. The first pilot Water Watch program in Thailand was initiated by Heifer and Auburn University in 2002. The goal is to extend the program to many areas of Thailand, thus creating a network of volunteers who will regularly check on the status of the streams and rivers in their area. The end result should be improved water quality throughout the country.

Heifer in Action

The first Water Watch training was provided to residents of San Suk village, an Akha villager in Mae Chan District of Chiang Rai province. Men and women from that village were trained by Heifer and Auburn University staff on how to measure various aspects of water quality, including the level of various pollutants. These individuals then become unpaid volunteer water quality monitors. Should any decline in water quality occur, the villagers will be ready to tell government authorities and to see that appropriate corrective action is taken.