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VOLUNTEER

JOIN THE ADVENTURE

“When you go to a different place, and you open yourself to learn, I can guarantee this experience is priceless. It's priceless and it's forever.- Renata Attenfelder WTW Volunteer

Scroll Down for WNC Volunteer Opportunities! 

Volunteer in WNC

  • Agriculture
    The science or occupation of cultivating land and rearing crops and livestock. It is one of the most water-intensive industries in the world.
  • Anthropogenic
    Made by people or resulting from human activities. Can be used in the context of changes to the environment that affect drinking water.
  • Aqueduct
    A fabricated watercourse constructed to convey water from one location to another. An aqueduct is any system of pipes, ditches, canals, tunnels, and other structures used for this purpose.
  • Aquifer
    A geological formation or structure that stores and/or transmits water, such as to wells and springs. Usually restricted to those water-bearing formations capable of yielding water in sufficient quantity to constitute a usable supply for people's uses.
  • Borehole
    An exploratory hole drilled into the Earth or ice to gather geophysical data. Used to access groundwater that has seeped through the layers of soil and rock.
  • Buoyancy
    The ability or tendency to float in water or air or some other fluid.
  • Ceramic Filter
    Locally manufactured filters that are used throughout the world for treating household water. Ceramic filters use colloidal silver that ensures the complete removal of bacteria in treated water and the prevention of bacterial growth within the filter itself. Water flows through the ceramic filters into a storage receptacle containing an access tap for everyday use. Wine To Water uses locally produced ceramic filters wherever possible.
  • Climate
    “Average weather,” or more rigorously, as the statistical description in terms of the mean and variability of relevant quantities over a period of time ranging from months to thousands of years.
  • Climate Change
    The periodic change in Earth’s climate due to changes in the atmosphere. This is a natural process on Earth, which has experienced numerous hot periods and ice ages.
  • Cohesive Force (Cohesion)
    The action or property of molecules adhering to one another due to mutual attraction. Water is highly cohesive so it is sticky and clumps together into drops.
  • Community Water Systems (CWS)
    Supplying water to populations year-round, including filtering systems and water transportation to taps outside of residents' homes or central locations in the area.
  • Conscious Capitalism
    A free-market economy that mutually benefits both people and the environment.
  • Contamination
    An impairment of the quality of water by microorganisms, chemicals, sewage or industrial waste which renders water unfit for its intended use.
  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
    Global businesses are under increasing pressure to aid in social responsibility programs such as giving back a portion of profits for the betterment of society. CSR is seen as a win-win initiative because the money goes back into communities, the environment, and more, and employees display increased satisfaction at work if they know their employers are involved in CSR programs.
  • Deforestation
    Practices or processes that result in the conversion of forested lands for non-forest uses. Can lead to a loss in available water in the region either by desiccation or interruption of the water cycle.
  • Dehydration
    A condition that occurs when the body loses too much water or other fluids that it needs to work normally.
  • Desertification
    Land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities.
  • Disaster Relief
    Providing resources and/or money to help rebuild an area after the destruction has hit. Wine To Water’s most recent examples include Jackson Mississippi and currently in Pakistan.
  • Drought
    A period of below-average precipitation in a given region, resulting in prolonged shortages in its water supply.
  • Emergency Response
    Immediate needs for clean water from various global problems including, but not limited to flooding, war, severe weather events, earthquakes, and fires.
  • ​​ESG funds (Environmental, Social, and Governance)
    Funds used to invest in companies that put the money to work and have a positive net impact on the environment and society..
  • Evaporation
    Liquid water that becomes vapor, returning to the atmosphere. An important part of the water cycle.
  • Fairtrade
    Corporations sometimes take advantage of producers and underpay or exploit trade in less regulated markets. Fairtrade ensures a fair partnership between producers and manufacturers.
  • Filter Build
    A Wine To Water trademark referring to our customizable events that include building actual filters that we send into hard-to-reach areas without clean water access or emergency response situations.
  • Filtration
    The process of removing any solids in the water through a barrier/ filter.
  • Flooding
    The covering or submerging of land with a large amount of water. This can be due to natural disasters or anthropogenic reasons.
  • Fundraising
    The process of raising funds for a nonprofit organization - we can’t do our work without your support!
  • Global Warming
    The recent and ongoing global average increase in temperature near the earth’s surface. Has led to precipitation levels dropping in areas where water is already scarce.
  • Greywater
    Wastewater without toxic chemicals that’s collected for secondary uses.
  • H2O
    the chemical formula of water.
  • Heat Waves
    A prolonged period of excessive heat, often combined with excessive humidity.
  • High Capacity Filter
    These filters have more pleats compared to a standard capacity filter in the same size and model of filter. They are larger and able to impact 5 thousand people.
  • Hollow Fiber Membrane Filter
    Fine filters that are used to remove bacteria and dirt from the water, making it safe and healthy for people to drink.
  • Human Rights
    A basic right that many societies believe every person should have. For example, the right to clean and safe drinking water.
  • Hydro-politicalrisk
    The risk of political tensions associated with water issues.
  • Hydrologic Cycle
    The process of evaporation, vertical and horizontal transport of vapor, condensation, precipitation, and the flow of water from continents to oceans.
  • Hydrology
    The scientific study of the movement, distribution and management of water on Earth.
  • Hygiene
    Conditions or practices conducive to health.
  • Irrigation
    The use of water withdrawn from lakes, rivers, or aquifers to increase soil moisture for vegetation.
  • Landfill
    Land waste disposal site in which waste is generally spread in thin layers, compacted, and covered with a fresh layer of soil each day. This can lead to contamination of nearby water sources.
  • Multiple Barrier Method
    An integrated system of procedure, processes, and tools that prevent or collectively reduce the contamination of drinking water from source to tap in order to reduce risks to public health.
  • Non-Profit Organization
    Non-business entity, organized group of individuals devoted to raising money for a cause. All proceeds earned by the organization are given to the cause.
  • Philanthropy
    An altruistic concern for human welfare and advancement. Philanthropy usually manifests through donations of money, property, or work to needy persons, by the endowment of institutions of learning and hospitals, and by generosity to other socially beneficial purposes.
  • Potable
    Water deemed fit or suitable for drinking.
  • Precipitation
    The process by which water releases from clouds in the form of rain, sleet, snow, or halt.
  • Privatization
    The transfer of a business, industry, service, or property from public to private ownership and control. Water is one of the public resources that is privatized.
  • Purification
    Process of further filtering water removing any bacteria, chemicals, chlorine, etc, resulting in higher levels of purity than just filtering water.
  • Rainwater Collection
    Also referred to as a rainwater harvesting system or rainwater catchment system, these systems collect and store rainwater for human use. Rainwater harvesting systems range from simple rain barrels to more elaborate structures with pumps, tanks, and purification systems. The non-potable water is used to irrigate landscaping, flush toilets, wash cars, or launder clothes. Filtration can be added to systems so water can be purified for human consumption.
  • Recycling
    The collecting and reprocessing of a material to be used again. Usually referring to plastics such as single use water bottles, but can include other water and other materials too.
  • Reforestation
    Planting of forests on lands that have previously contained forests but that have been converted to some other use. Trees improve water quality by slowing rain as it falls to the Earth, and helps it soak into the soil.
  • Sawyer Filter
    A hollow fiber membrane filter that is easy to assemble and ensures the removal of bacteria and protozoa. Oh, and 100% of microplastics too.
  • Schistosomiasis
    Almost 240 million people are affected by schistosomiasis – an acute and chronic disease caused by parasitic worms contracted through exposure to infected water. (WHO)
  • Social Enterprise Model
    A model that applies business solutions to social problems. WIW is creating a social enterprise model in the Dominican Republic to create financial sustainability and improve environmental impacts.
  • Storm Surge
    An abnormal rise in sea level accompanying a hurricane or other intense storm, whose height is the difference between the observed level of the sea surface and the level that would have occurred in the absence of the cyclone. Can lead to an increase of waterborne illness.
  • Surface Water Sources
    Water that is found on the surface of the earth. For example, lakes, the ocean, rivers, etc. This water is not safe drinking water, yet residents in East Africa are forced to drink it leading to stomach issues from Waterborne Illnesses.
  • Sustainability
    The quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural resources, thereby supporting a long-term ecological balance.
  • Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6 or Global Goal 6)
    Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6 or Global Goal 6) is about "clean water and sanitation for all". It is one of 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations General Assembly, "Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The goal has eight targets to be achieved by 2030. Progress toward the targets will be measured by using eleven indicators. The six "outcome-oriented targets" include: Safe and affordable drinking water; provide access to sanitation, and hygiene, improve water quality, wastewater treatment and safe reuse, increase water-use efficiency and ensure freshwater supplies, implement IWRM, protect and restore water-related ecosystems. The two "means of achieving" targets are to expand water and sanitation support to developing countries, and to support local engagement in water and sanitation management.
  • Sustainable Water Solutions
    Alternative ways of using water in order to conserve it to meet the community's needs without compromising them in the future.
  • The Tap
    Wine To Water’s group of monthly donors help us provide funding consistency throughout the year. Tap members have access to special global updates and are considered part of the Wine To Water family.
  • Turbidity
    The measure of relative clarity of a liquid.
  • WASH
    A World Health Organization acronym standing for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene.
  • Water4Schools
    Our Wine To Water program for children. Our international program provides schools with handwashing stations, bathrooms, filters, and sanitation education. Our domestic program teaches children in the US about the global water crisis.
  • Water Availability
    Water that can be used by humans in a given location and time period.
  • Water Catchment System
    A conveyance system with downpipes and gutters that channels water from the collection surface into a rainwater tank. Diverters and filters keep debris out of the storage tank.
  • Water Crisis
    Over 771 million people worldwide do not have basic and reliable access to clean and safe drinking water. As the most basic human need, water is one of the biggest crises facing the human population. By 2025, an estimated 1.8 billion people will live in areas plagued by water scarcity, with two-thirds of the world’s population living in water-stressed regions (Source: National Geographic).
  • Water Filter (General)
    a physical barrier that can block or trap debris and sometimes bacteria from passing through. There are several types of water filters including ceramic, hollow membrane, high capacity, and gravity water filters, to name a few.
  • Water Infrastructure
    Used to move or store water for use.
  • Water Reclamation
    the process of converting municipal wastewater for industrial wastewater into water that can be reused for a variety of purposes
  • Water Scarcity
    Water scarcity is a water deficiency or a lack of safe water supplies. As the population of the world grows and the environment becomes further affected by climate change, access to fresh drinking water dwindles.
  • Water Security
    a population’s ability to provide safe access to adequate quantities of water for sustaining human well-being, protecting ecosystems, and socio-economic development.
  • Waterborne Disease
    Conditions caused by pathogenic micro-organisms that are transmitted in water. These diseases can be spread while bathing, washing, drinking water, or by eating food exposed to contaminated water. They are a pressing issue in rural areas in developing countries all over the world. While diarrhea and vomiting are the most commonly reported symptoms of waterborne illness, other symptoms can include skin, ear, respiratory, or eye problems. Lack of clean water supply, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are major causes of the spread of waterborne diseases in a community. Therefore, reliable access to clean drinking water and sanitation is the main method to prevent waterborne diseases.
  • Well
    An excavation or structure created in the ground by digging, driving, or drilling to access liquid resources, usually water. The oldest and most common kind of well is a water well, to access groundwater in underground aquifers.
  • Wine To Water
    Founded in 2004, Wine To Water is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to supporting life and dignity for all through the power of clean water.
  • Wildfire
    an unplanned, uncontrolled, and unpredictable fire in an area of combustible vegetation. Wildfires can increase water consumption, compromise water quality, and affect water infrastructure.
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