Living Waters for the World (LWW), the mission resource of the Synod of Living Waters of the Presbyterian Church (USA), trains and equips mission teams to share the gift of clean water with communities in need. LWW water systems and related educational programs address a critical niche of the world water crisis - communities with available but contaminated water.

We welcome churches of all denominations and civic organizations to participate with us in this life-changing work.

The project was first conceived in the early 90's by Wil Howie, a psychologist-turned-minister who believed that the Synod of Living Waters of which he is a member, could literally bring life-saving, "living" waters to people in need throughout the world.

From this humble beginning, Living Waters for the World clean water systems have now been installed at 183 sites in 19 countries: Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Kenya, Madagasgar, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Philippines, Thailand, United States and Venezuela.

Developing strong partnerships between those providing and those receiving the water, prior to the installation of a system, and the teaching of health, hygiene and spiritual education, is the key reason this mission has been successful.

Through partnerships, empowerment creates sustainability, and all are blessed in the process. Clean Water U, LWW's five-day simulation school, is enabling the organization to train many more volunteers to lead teams to build partnerships, install the water system and teach health, hygiene and spiritual education to in-country leaders. Since 2004, 550 volunteers from 29 states and eight other countries have participated in the Clean Water U training program.

The need for clean water is overwhelming. According to the World Health Organization and other sources, approximately three million people die each year from water-related illnesses, most of them children. Living Waters for the World is a clear example of the church being involved in people's lives in a real, tangible way. Children are being saved from certain illness and deadly complications that come from dirty water, which has been the only kind of water available to them and their parents. Living Waters for the World and its partners are delivering the water of life and sowing God's word to those who thirst.