At Mulutu Dispensary, Nurse in Charge Irene fought an uphill battle every day. The rural health facility, a lifeline for the 1,200 residents of Mulutu Village in Kitui County, Kenya, sits amid dusty terrain. Without a reliable water source, maintaining cleanliness and promoting good hygiene at the facility was nearly impossible. Irene couldn’t keep the dust from settling on every surface, no matter how hard she tried.

In the dusty air, her patients sneezed constantly, their throats sore. Irene worried her patients’ visits to the dispensary might increase their risk of respiratory illness and irritation, among other health concerns. “We are supposed to be providing healthcare, not exposing patients to more health risks,” Irene told us, her heart heavy.

At the end of last year, everything changed for Irene and her patients thanks to the new clean water infrastructure that CMMB installed. During World Water Week, we renew our commitment to delivering clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) to health facilities, giving more people access to the safe healthcare they deserve.

A Desperate Need for Clean, Safe Water

Before the water tanks, Irene had tried everything. She paid donkey vendors to fetch water from a stream that flowed for only part of the year. But during the dry season, when the community crowded at the dried-up riverbed, digging for water, the vendors often had no water to sell. Ever resourceful, Irene found another option. She coordinated with the Mulutu Police Post, right next door, to share their water. But they often ran out, too.

Still, she persevered, fetching two 20-liter jerrycans of water every day to clean the facility and serve her patients. But it was never enough—the dust was always there. Irene worried constantly that the very place the people of Mulutu relied on for their health would become a breeding ground for disease.

With Rainwater Storage Tanks, the Promise of Reliable Water

CMMB provided Mulutu Dispensary with two 10,000-liter water tanks—a rainwater harvesting system that will ensure a continuous water supply. The tanks are strategically placed in a secure location next to the police post. Even during dry months, Mulutu will be able to store county-provided water, ensuring water for cleaning, handwashing, and basic sanitation.

“I have had to endure so much, but I have always pushed through because I believe in the work I do. Now, thanks to CMMB, I can serve my community without worrying about the basics.”

Hope for a Better Future

Rainwater collection systems do much more than address an immediate need for clean, safe water. They equip low-resource communities with the tools and infrastructure they need to create an accessible, long-lasting water supply, even during dry seasons. At CMMB, we see firsthand how reliable water access leads to better health for families and entire communities.

“These tanks will be a game-changer,” Irene says with a smile. “We will finally be able to maintain a clean and safe environment for our patients.”

safe water changes everything