Coffee Producers in Nariño Invest in Safe Drinking Water for Rural Communities

In Sandoná, Nariño, Colombia, Fair Trade Certified coffee producers selling through the National Coffee Federation are transforming their communities. By uniting local efforts, these dedicated farmers are securing reliable access to safe drinking water for thousands of rural families. For eight years, the Sandoná group of 2,047 active coffee producers have participated in the Fair Trade Certifed program. A recent needs assessment of rural aqueduct systems revealed a critical health crisis. More than 80% of households in the community were not consuming treated drinking water, leading to severe sanitation concerns and recurring illnesses among more than 2,000 families relying on unsafe sources. Through their democratic Fair Trade Committee, producers voted to invest Community Development Funds into a comprehensive water management model. This initiative represents a powerful collective effort. Premium funds primarily supported the installation of rural drinking water treatment plants and provided essential training for local water board operators. To ensure the project's success, community members generously donated land for the installations, while local organizations successfully mobilized external co-financing to construct protective roofs and fencing. The impact of this robust collaboration has been immediate and transformative. In 2025, producers invested $446,000 USD from their premium to continue strengthening the Potable Water Project in Nariño. During that year alone, the project directly benefited 643 coffee producers in the Sandoná group. By championing community leadership, these farmers are successfully delivering safe, reliable drinking water to coffee producing households and their surrounding neighborhoods.