Every year on March 22nd, World Water Day unites people around the world to highlight the importance of water and the challenges facing communities without reliable access. This year’s theme, Glacier Preservation, draws attention to one of the most pressing global issues, rapid glacial loss and its impact on freshwater supplies.
At first glance, glaciers may seem far removed from the coffee industry. But for millions of people living in coffee-growing regions, shrinking glaciers and shifting water patterns present a serious threat to their livelihoods, their crops, and their daily survival.
Why Glacier Preservation Matters for Coffee Communities
Glaciers act as natural water reservoirs, slowly releasing fresh water that supports ecosystems, agriculture, and drinking water supplies. According to the United Nations, glaciers provide nearly 70% of the world’s freshwater. However, rising global temperatures are causing glaciers to melt at an alarming rate, disrupting these water sources and creating unpredictable shortages.
For coffee farmers, these changes can be devastating. Many coffee-growing regions already struggle with seasonal droughts and inconsistent rainfall. A study by the International Coffee Organization (ICO) found that climate change-driven water shortages are a growing concern for coffee producers worldwide. As glaciers shrink, water sources dry up, and farming becomes even more difficult. In some areas, unreliable access to water forces farmers to abandon coffee production altogether, threatening the long-term sustainability of the industry.
Beyond agriculture, the lack of clean water affects every aspect of daily life. Families in these communities often spend hours each day collecting water, leaving less time for work, education, or other essential activities. Poor sanitation and hygiene conditions lead to higher rates of disease, especially among children. Without intervention, these challenges will only become more severe as water scarcity worsens.
At Project Waterfall, we’re committed to tackling these issues by delivering clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education to coffee-growing communities. This year, we’re continuing our work to build sustainable water systems, ensuring that coffee farmers and their families have access to this most basic human right.
Accelerating Access: Project Waterfall’s Work in Rwanda
One of our flagship initiatives, the Accelerating Access project in Rwanda, is designed to break down the barriers to clean water in coffee-farming regions. In partnership with WaterAid, we’re working in Mwogo and Juru, two areas where water shortages and poor sanitation have long been obstacles to development.
Through this project, we are ensuring that thousands of people, including coffee farmers, their families, and surrounding communities, have access to clean, reliable water for drinking, farming, and daily needs.
Key Achievements Over the Past Year
✅ Delivering Clean Water
We completed a major water supply scheme, bringing clean water to 35,000 people through 23 new public taps directly connected to a sustainable water system.
These new taps drastically reduce the time spent collecting water, freeing up hours each day for work, education, and community life.
🚰 Improving Hygiene and Sanitation
Clean water alone isn’t enough, we’re also working to improve hygiene practices and sanitation infrastructure:
700 households received training on how to upgrade and maintain safe, hygienic toilets.
187,188 community members were engaged through hygiene education campaigns led by local health workers and village leaders.
824 parents took part in education programs on pregnancy, breastfeeding, and child health, ensuring the next generation grows up healthier.
🔄 Building Long-Term Sustainability
To create lasting impact, we’re working closely with local partners, including WASAC (Rwanda’s Water and Sanitation Corporation) and community organizations.
We’ve been reviewing and rehabilitating disused water facilities, ensuring that previously abandoned infrastructure is repaired and put to good use.
This work is about more than just providing clean water, it’s about empowering communities, improving public health, and creating a sustainable future for coffee-growing families.
Water & Coffee: Join the Conversation
The connection between water, climate change, and coffee is complex, but conversations spark action. That’s why this May, we’re hosting a special water panel talk, bringing together industry leaders, sustainability experts, and advocates to explore the impact of water on coffee and discuss solutions for a more sustainable future.
📢 Stay tuned for more details!
Why Your Support Matters
As we celebrate World Water Day, we’re reminded that water connects us all, from melting glaciers to the coffee in your cup. The choices we make today will determine the future of our planet, our water systems, and the millions of people who depend on them.
At Project Waterfall, we believe that access to clean water isn’t just a privilege, it’s a human right. By working together, we can make this right a reality for coffee-growing communities across the world.
Whether you’re a coffee business, an individual supporter, or an industry leader, your involvement makes a difference. Help us spread the word, support our initiatives, and be part of the change.
