By: Austin Harbison

Though Cambodia is a costal country, has two major rivers running through it and a large natural lake, the water is impure.

Many of the citizens drink water that they bathe in, and use as bathrooms.

Their methods of sanitation often consist of nothing more than gathering water and letting the silt settle to the bottom.

Rob Sharp wrote an article describing “Hot Sam” an old fisherman who lives in a house. In the middle of a lake.

He uses the lake for his water source. He drinks from it, fishes in it, washes his body and personal items in it, and defecates in it.

Throughout Cambodia there are many “floating communities” all of which live in similar ways.

For more information and the rest of this article visit: http://www.alternet.org/water/80520/

This is a problem that has persisted for years. The natives have been drinking from the same water sources for years and do not realize it is hurting them.

Education is low. In some situations the natives do not know to change their methods. In many other situations there is no access to clean water. The clean water is unattainable, deep underground.

Some places have wells, but often times these are broken leaving the people drinking contaminated water again.

Organizations such as Wine to Water are donating their time to building new wells for the citizens and fixing any old wells.

There are many organizations such as Wine to Water that are non-profit and will help the people.

Donating ones time as a volunteer for an organization by working in an office or getting out in the field.