“Finish your water - There are thirsty kids in Africa.”

Our founder - George McGraw - on the Huffington Post this World Water Day. Read it here. 

For the run-up to World Water Day, Katherine Straus shares updates from each of DIGDEEP’s active field sites. Katherine is Director for People and Places.

SMITH LAKE, NM

We’ve been trying for months to drill this fact into your brain: 13% of American Indians do not have access to clean water. The water crisis is closer to home than you think.

DIGDEEP’s newest field site is only 10 hours form LA - in Smith Lake, New Mexico. We’re piloting a project in Smith Lake to improve trucked water delivery to rural homes. Water delivery gaps are a huge, complicated problem, and water trucks are only a first (urgently needed) step. 

Since planning started last Fall, we’ve spent a lot of time visiting local Navajo residents and hearing their stories. We’ve met people like Mrs. Johnston, a tribal elder who has spent most of her life walking 3-5 miles to collect water from a local pond. She and her family now receive about 400 gallons of water a month by truck. Without a local fill station, however, it’s not enough water to meet the basic needs of her 13-member household!

DIGDEEP is helping our partners in Smith Lake by constructing a new well in a centralized location, and improving home water delivery and storage.  Factors such as uranium contamination and water depth (over 2000 ft!) have made the planning period a long one. But this Spring, we’re moving out of the planning stage and into construction!

If you’re interested in defending the right to clean water in the US – we could use your help fundraising! Donate or create your own fundraising campaign here!

This is part of a series for World Water Day celebrating our international water access projects. Help DIGDEEP defend your right to water this March 22nd by visiting digdeepwater.org 

Without easy access to water on parts of the reservation, Navajo life has some unique, water-related quirks. Public schools used to have “shower days” for students from remote homes; some small hotels in Gallup, NM still offer “shower only” service, and coin-operated laundromats remain a popular gathering place all day long.

Learn more about DIGDEEP’s work to protect the human rights of Navajo living in the United States… because every person, everywhere deserves access to clean water.

We’re headed to New Mexico for a site visit this week. Keep your eyes peeled for updates here on the blog! #roadtrip

NEW MEXICO UPDATE

So everyone knows that we’re working hard to bring clean water to over 300 Navajo in rural New Mexico. (If you don’t, you can read about the project here.)

Here are a few teaser pics from our most recent trip to the field. They communicate the sparse vastness of this incredible place, and the beauty of its Diné people. We’re so honored to be working with local Navajo and non-profit leaders to make the dream of clean water a reality!

Every person everywhere has a right to the clean water they need to live in dignity. Help us bring water to our fellow Americans. 

DIGDEEP

photos courtesy of DIGDEEP’s volunteer photog: Heather Gildroy