Our History
Today, Village Water is driven by a small but passionate team and supported by a dedicated board of trustees providing governance and strategic direction. Together, we are proud of what we have achieved so far and remain committed to building on this impact for the future.
2004
What we did
Village Water founded by David Dixon
First community Nalitonga reached
2005 – 2012
What we did
We began training manual drillers
We reached 493 communities and over 80,000 people
V Festival started
2013
What we did
Held a 10-year anniversary reception at the House of Lords
Explored expansion into Mozambique
Started supporting manual drilling enterprises and trained pump minders
2014
What we did
Trialled a new, more durable latrine design using PVC drums.
Launched our Well Good Appeal backed by the UK government’s Aid Match Initiative
2015
What we did
We win The International Society for Neglected Tropical Diseases Award, for innovation in monitoring impact
Guinness World Record for the most people jump squatting (471!)
Work started on our first UK Aid match funding grant
2016
What we did
House of Lords supporter event
Began work in Mozambique, with manual drilling and 10 new waterpoints
2017
What we did
First solar installation in a school
Raised £33k on a Radio 4 appeal with Clare Balding
2018
What we did
27,267 people reached
Trained 4 manual drilling enterprises in Zambia
2019
What we did
Started working on the first District Wide Plan in Nalolo, Zambia
Began UK Aid-funded work in Lusaka to support George compound
Supported the relief efforts after the devastating cyclone Idai in Mozambique
2020
What we did
Launched a comprehensive COVID support programme across both Zambia and Mozambique
Surpassed £1 million income and reached 500,000 cumulative beneficiaries
2021
What we did
Reached over 1 million people cumulatively
First district wide monitoring, surveying over 2000 households and 300 communities
Raised £33k on a Radio 4 appeal with Advolly Richmond
2022
What we did
With partners helped publish our first costed District wide plan
Raised £76,197 through the Big Give Christmas Challenge
Started District Wide Plan in Mumbwa
2023
What we did
Rehabilitated 1054 broken pumps and installed 20 new ones
Started District Wide Plan in Barue
2024
What we did
Launched a new 3-year strategic plan
Start our first community integrated project focusing on WASH and Agriculture
Rolled out mass promotion on WASH and MHM in 8 wards with over 120k people in
2025
What we did
Advolly Richmond becomes our first Ambassador
First small scale solar-powered community project tackling deep boreholes
Our Impact
Safe water saves lives. See how our work combats the water crisis and strengthens health and education across Zambia and Mozambique.
Get Involved
Join us! Whether by fundraising, volunteering, or donating, to bring safe water and sanitation to rural villages in Zambia and Mozambique.