In the United States, municipal governments filter and often chlorinate residential water. That's the official term for anything related to our homes: residential.
No government in Asia makes potable water that is safe for drinking. Rural Indonesians can get water from wells, some of which are built by the government, or from piped river water. While this water is clean, it is not potable, or drinkable. For Bajau communities that live in stilt houses over the sea, there is the added difficulty of moving water to their houses in the sea.
Having a house above the sea is convenient for boat storage, which is important if you spend your days fishing. It can be complicated, though, when you need to get fresh water to drink. Obtaining fresh water consumes hours in the average day of a Bajau family living in stilt villages.
Have you heard of fresh water? Or sweet water? That is the water that runs overland in streams and rivers or that gets pulled from underground through wells.
Humans, animals and the vegtable crops we eat depend on fresh water. We can't live on salt water from the ocean. Next time you're at the beach, try a sip. It's pretty gross...and drink enough of it and you'll end up with a tummy ache.
