Over the New Year, we visited a 'floating village' called Outaput in Kompong Khleang, Cambodia. The village is based on a small islet on the Ton Le Sap, a vast natural lake which is home to almost a quarter of a million people. We left determined to find a way to help them access clean water.

We were there with an educational charity called Bridge of Life. They provide schooling for children unable to reach school on the mainland. During our visit, we spoke at length with Paren, a former villager who now manages the village school along with three others nearby. He explained his concern that lack of access to clean water was affecting community health.

Outaput is home to 353 families, most of whom earn a living through fishing on the Tonle Sap, and farming during the dry season. Most families still draw their water from the Tonle Sap, which is polluted and - especially during the dry season - riddled with bacteria and parasites. Many do use basic ceramic filters but these don't filter Tonle Sap water sufficiently and this poses a serious risk to health.

Since we returned from Cambodia we have been working with Bridge of Life School to determine how best we can help. They have involved experts from Water Cambodia to ensure our investment has the right impact.

Together, we have agreed on a pilot project to install bio-sand filters in selected homes, as well as a public filter in the local school. Using these filters the families and school children will be able to collect water and easily make it clean and safe.

The project is being run and organised by Bridge of Life Schools together with members of the local community. Before and after installation we will run a small survey to establish whether there is a demonstrable impact on local health. Once the pilot is proven successful we will then seek funds for a larger project to extend access to the whole community.

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http://www.bridgeoflifeschool.org/