GIS-Driven Nationwide Mapping to Enable Universal Access to Clean Water in Liberia

This ambitious project, initiated in 2015, aimed to provide clean drinking water to every Liberian household by December 2020, addressing one of the most critical challenges in a country with widespread water contamination and associated health risks. The collaborative effort was led by Darrel Larson, the founder of Give Clean Water, in partnership with The Last Well NGO and other organizations.

The initiative combined well-drilling projects with the innovative distribution of Sawyer water filtration systems. By leveraging GIS Cloud’s Mobile Data Collection (MDC) app, teams performed comprehensive household surveys to map settlements, track water filter installations, and monitor their impacts on community health over time.

This digitized approach replaced outdated paper-based workflows, enabling real-time data sharing across stakeholders. The project not only improved access to clean water but also dramatically reduced waterborne illnesses, saving lives and improving quality of life. Follow-up surveys conducted 2 and 8 weeks after filter installation revealed a 95% reduction in waterborne illnesses like diarrhea and significant socio-economic benefits, including reduced medical expenses and missed school/workdays.