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Healing Waters International

Helps communities set up, own and run water purification systems that use ultrafiltration or reverse-osmosis membranes to remove bacteria, viruses, cysts and parasites, with 417 current projects in 16 countries.

Healing Waters' membrane systems remove bacteria, viruses and parasites — and communities own and run them, selling affordable purified water that keeps the systems going.

You give directly to Healing Waters International. randomcharity.com takes $0 and never touches your money.

What Healing Waters International does

Healing Waters International is a Christian nonprofit based in Denver, Colorado, that helps communities set up, own and run their own water purification systems. It was founded in 2002 after a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. It has staff in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Guatemala and Haiti, and works through partners in countries including Honduras, El Salvador, Colombia, Cambodia, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Sierra Leone and Somalia, 16 countries in all.

Each system uses membrane filtration, either ultrafiltration or reverse osmosis depending on a site assessment, and can run on solar, grid power or, in some cases, gravity alone. Healing Waters says the systems remove bacteria, viruses, cysts, parasites and particulates. Rather than giving water away, it helps communities run water kiosks and, in Rwanda and Uganda, franchised water stores that sell purified water at an affordable price, creating local jobs and income to keep the systems going. Field offices keep replacement parts in stock in-country.

The organization reports 417 current projects distributing about 426,000 liters of safe water a day, and more than 1.8 billion liters to date, alongside health and hygiene training. Charity Navigator gives it a four-star rating. A monthly giving program starts at $25.

Key facts

  • 417 current projects in 16 countries (Healing Waters projects page)
  • About 426,370 liters of safe water distributed daily and 1.83 billion+ liters to date (Healing Waters projects page)
  • Uses ultrafiltration or reverse-osmosis membranes, chosen per site, powered by solar, grid or gravity (Healing Waters solutions page)
  • Staffed in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Guatemala and Haiti; first project in the Dominican Republic in 2002 (Healing Waters projects page)

Before you give

  • Monthly giving program ('Saturate') starts at $25/month (https://healingwaters.org/saturate/); a gift catalog is at https://healingwaters.org/gift-catalog/.
  • Faith-based (Christian) organization.

Common questions

Is Healing Waters International a legitimate charity?

Tax status: US 501(c)(3) — donations are tax-deductible for US taxpayers. It files with the IRS under EIN 46-0472149, and its annual returns are public on ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer. Independent ratings — Charity Navigator: 4 of 4 stars. As with any charity, check its latest filings before a large gift.

Are donations to Healing Waters International tax-deductible?

US 501(c)(3) — donations are tax-deductible for US taxpayers.

Where does Healing Waters International work?

Healing Waters International works in 16 countries (Latin America, Caribbean, Africa, Cambodia). It is based in Denver, CO.

How do I donate to Healing Waters International?

Use the Donate button on this page — it goes straight to Healing Waters International's own donation page on give.healingwaters.org. randomcharity.com doesn't process payments, doesn't see your card details and takes no cut.

Sources

  1. healingwaters.org/
  2. healingwaters.org/solutions/
  3. healingwaters.org/projects/
  4. healingwaters.org/about/
  5. municipalwaterleader.com/healing-waters-international-addressing-the-water-crisis-ar
  6. charitynavigator.org/ein/460472149
  7. projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/460472149

Profile researched and last reviewed September 2026. Ratings and figures change — the linked evaluator pages always show the current version.

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