Water Makes the World Go Round

In many parts of the United States, we tend to take clean water for granted. Turn on the taps and it’s there—for drinking, washing, cooking—you name it. But ask anyone who lives in a region impacted by drought or contamination, and they’ll tell you—lack of access to clean, safe water causes BIG problems. “Access to clean drinking water is one of the world’s largest current health crises,” says Matt Thompson, Marketing Director and VBT Sustainability Committee member. “Water-borne illnesses are one of the leading causes of mortality for children worldwide. On a global scale, the percentage of people who have access to clean water is shockingly low.”

Contamination and disease are among the biggest health issues caused by lack of clean water. Drinking contaminated water can lead to giardia, dysentery, and cholera—and these maladies cause widespread problems in communities they affect. Lack of clean water also presents sanitation challenges—a particularly acute issue in rural health care centers and mobile surgical units where good hygiene is an essential component of positive health outcomes.

Giving the Gift of Clean Water

To help combat this vital (and often overlooked) issue, VBT is pleased to announce our holiday gift to Wine to Water—an international organization that provides access to clean drinking water and emergency supplies in places they’re needed most. Wine to Water works to educate people in water-challenged regions about sanitation best practices and water filter build techniques. Their Water4Schools program provides education and training for young people—increasing awareness of sanitation and clean water management strategies to build a strong future for local communities.

Environmental Sustainability at VBT

Here at VBT, environmental sustainability is one of our core values. In our main office in Williston, Vermont, our team of dedicated Sustainability Committee members works hard to develop innovative ideas to improve environmental sustainability—both on tour, at home, and around the world. Every VBT booking contributes a small amount to a fund supporting environmental sustainability efforts. “It’s a great program,” says Matt. “Our local leaders get involved as well—bringing forward ideas to help support their communities.” For example, VBT supports the Roaring Fork River Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV) in western Colorado, where a spectacular river valley has been carved out over millennia. The RFOV acts as stewards of this pristine public land, working with individuals and almost 100 institutional, non-profit, and business organizations to support sustainable recreation and the healthy landscapes that you’ll cycle through during VBT’s Colorado: Aspen to Vail, Valleys of the Rockies Guided Tour. In 2021 alone, across 64 project sites, RFOV rebuilt 74 miles of trails, restored 20 acres of degraded landscape, and inspired some 700 students with its Young Stewards Program.

In addition to regional sustainability, VBT also contributes to global sustainability initiatives. In 2017, Wine to Water Founder and President Doc Hendley was a guest speaker at a VBT event, planting the seed for future collaboration. “Wine to Water is doing great work around the world, and they have good alignment with VBT values,” says Matt. “In addition to local community support, we wanted to do something on a global scale where our contributions would make the most impact.” The ongoing collaboration between VBT and Wine to Water has supported efforts in Ukraine, Nepal, and other regions experiencing scarcity of clean water and sanitation resources.

Promoting Healthy Communities Through Access to Clean Water

With VBT’s support, Wine to Water’s 2024 initiative in the Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality of Nepal works to deliver clean water access to eight remote communities—including five communities that are new to the program this year. In each location, a well is drilled or a nearby water source is harnessed, and then connected to piping—moving the water through a gravity or solar fed system to taps outside of resident’s homes. Along with clean water access at every home, the program will also determine viable water sources, or harness groundwater through drilling; establish a Water User Committee (WUC) made up of 50+% women in the community to manage the water system; install solar-powered water pumps that transport water up the hills; install piping that connects to each household tap; and implement sanitation and hygiene education in communities and schools. This project will impact the lives of 16,750 people throughout eight Nepalese communities.

We’re excited to support this important work—and would like to thank everyone who made it possible. Warm wishes for a safe and healthy New Year to one and all!