- The Water Sources Programme helped to build a total of 22,557 sources of water to include wells and ponds -

Tabitha's Water Sources Programme enables families to have access to clean and potable water by building wells and ponds that provide water for drinking and washing, as well as for animals and crop irrigation.

A safe water source is, on average, 2 miles from a village. In the absence of it, drinking water is sometimes taken from open ponds or rivers, which are commonly polluted with excreta and chemicals. Villagers, especially children, often develop infectious diseases.

In addition, without a sustainable source of clean water near their homes, families are restricted in their ability to increase their incomes. Animal husbandry or growing crops is impossible without an ongoing source of water available. During the long dry season, no crops will grow unless a reliable source of water is secured.

Almost immediately, a safe and accessible water source improves health and creates income security. Families with accessible water can grow rice and vegetables throughout the dry season and can raise livestock nearly all year long. Having a water source, beyond providing food security, will triple a family's income.

There are four different water sources construction provided by Tabitha Cambodia:

- WATER WELL (US$150) -

These are built in or near a village and typically support 5 families or approximately 40 people.

- FIELD WELL (US$250) -

These are built in the fields where crops are irrigated and/or livestock maintained. Field wells allow 2-4 hectares of land to produce crops all year, dramatically increasing the reliability of food supplies for poor families.

- POND (US$300) -

These are built in areas where the water table is dispersed. Family field ponds are filled by seepage from the water table, providing household and irrigation water on an average of 2-4 hectares of land. They supply several families with drinking and irrigation water.

- RESERVOIR (US$500) -

These are constructed in areas without other sources of water. The reservoirs are built to be filled up in the wet season, providing drinking and household water during the dry season.