What is Water for everyone?
Water for Everyone is a Rotary-led, and Mathews Community Foundation started initiative focused on one simple goal: making sure everyone in Mathews County has access to clean, safe drinking water - free of charge.
Mathews County has no municipal water system, and many residents struggle with poor water quality due to high iron, sulfur, flooding, and aging infrastructure. Water for Everyone helps bridge that gap by providing free, publicly accessible water stations across the county.
Mathews County has no municipal water system, and many residents struggle with poor water quality due to high iron, sulfur, flooding, and aging infrastructure. Water for Everyone helps bridge that gap by providing free, publicly accessible water stations across the county.
where to find the clean water stations in mathews
HOW TO USE:
LOCATION OF FREE WATER STATIONS:
- Any of the Free Water Stations in Mathews County are free for anyone to use.
- The stations are open 24/7, 365 days a year.
- All you need to do is bring your own cleaned water collection container from home.
- **Please note that you should run the water for 30-60 seconds before filling your container to clear the still water in the pipes.
- When you arrive to one of the designated sites, just look for our "Clean water for Everyone" signage.
LOCATION OF FREE WATER STATIONS:
- Mathews Chapel - 4185 Buckley Hall Road, Cobbs Creek, VA 23035
- Piankatank Ruritan Club Pavilion - 7138 Buckley Hall Road, Hudgins, VA 23076
- Salem Church - 1099 Salem Church Road, Diggs, VA 23045
- Kingston Parish Episcopal Church - 370 Main Street, Mathews, VA 23109
- West Mathews Community Center - 4905 E. River Road, Bohannon, VA 23021
How is the water cleaned?
How the Free Water Stations Work: Mathews Rotary Club has partnered with Water Pro, Inc. to professionally install each water filtration system to ensure citizens that the stations are clean and safe sources to drink. Here is the multi-step treatment process:
- Water testing: Source water is tested before installation to identify quality issues.
- Sediment filtration: Removes dirt, rust, and visible particles.
- Water softening: Reduces hardness caused by minerals like iron and calcium.
- Advanced filtration: Improves taste, smell, and clarity.
- UV light treatment: Kills bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms without chemicals.
- Certified lab testing: Water is tested and certified to meet all state and federal drinking water standards.
- Ongoing monitoring: Each site is tested regularly to ensure continued safety and performance.
FUTURE PROPOSED SITES: *These are the 7 proposed future sites that Rotary plans on installing. Pumps have not yet been installed here:
- Church in Dutton (Living Waters)
- Church in Susan (Antioch Baptist Church)
- Haskins Bayside Auto Center in Port Haywood
- Fire Station #3 on Gwynn’s Island)
- Church in North (Emmaus)
- Ocean Products in Diggs
- Church in Onemo (Bethel Methodist Church)
ABout the project
Five water stations are already in place, and Rotary is actively expanding the program by adding 7 more locations in the community, especially in rural areas with high-concentration housing areas where access is limited.
The Water for Everyone initiative began in 2023 after local leaders and volunteers came together to discuss the growing impacts of poverty and infrastructure challenges in Mathews County. During these conversations, one concern was raised repeatedly: many residents lacked access to clean, drinkable water.
The Mathews Community Foundation started the project through research, inviting residents and leaders from churches, social services, civic groups and local government to gather feedback on this need. After a series of interviews, many shared stories of water that smelled bad, tasted unpleasant, or required families to rely on bottled water for daily needs. With no municipal water system anywhere in the county and limited resources to address the issue at a government level, it became clear that a community-led solution was needed.
In early 2025, the first water stations were installed in existing community buildings, allowing residents to access certified, bacteria-free drinking water at no cost for the first time. The goal is to add 7 additional clean water facilities in rural areas around the county.
Mathews Rotary has been working with District 7610 Strategic Water Alliance (SWA) since May 2025, and they have been extremely helpful in making introductions as well as guiding the Mathews Rotary Club representatives from the beginning. The SWA has introduced us to the Rotary Club of Luanshya, Zambia and District 9210, our International Partner in this grant. The SWA is composed of 24 Rotary Clubs in Northern VA and have already completed 51 water and sanitation projects in Africa and Honduras. Two other International Rotary Clubs, the Cochin North and the Cochin Metropolis in India are also sponsoring the water stations in Mathews, VA.
The Water for Everyone initiative began in 2023 after local leaders and volunteers came together to discuss the growing impacts of poverty and infrastructure challenges in Mathews County. During these conversations, one concern was raised repeatedly: many residents lacked access to clean, drinkable water.
The Mathews Community Foundation started the project through research, inviting residents and leaders from churches, social services, civic groups and local government to gather feedback on this need. After a series of interviews, many shared stories of water that smelled bad, tasted unpleasant, or required families to rely on bottled water for daily needs. With no municipal water system anywhere in the county and limited resources to address the issue at a government level, it became clear that a community-led solution was needed.
In early 2025, the first water stations were installed in existing community buildings, allowing residents to access certified, bacteria-free drinking water at no cost for the first time. The goal is to add 7 additional clean water facilities in rural areas around the county.
Mathews Rotary has been working with District 7610 Strategic Water Alliance (SWA) since May 2025, and they have been extremely helpful in making introductions as well as guiding the Mathews Rotary Club representatives from the beginning. The SWA has introduced us to the Rotary Club of Luanshya, Zambia and District 9210, our International Partner in this grant. The SWA is composed of 24 Rotary Clubs in Northern VA and have already completed 51 water and sanitation projects in Africa and Honduras. Two other International Rotary Clubs, the Cochin North and the Cochin Metropolis in India are also sponsoring the water stations in Mathews, VA.
SUPPORT THIS PROJECT
Mathews Rotary Club is continuing to expand this project one location at a time. Rotary will lead efforts to add 7 additional locations using grant funding and community support. This project reflects our deep commitment to public health, equity, and improving everyday life for Mathews residents.
Rotary has not only fundraised for this project through the many community events that we run every year, but also through funding support from the Mathews Community Foundation, Global Grant Funding from The Rotary International Foundation, and private citizen donations. Join our efforts and help support the Water for Everyone Project, to provide safe, clean, and accessible water pumps for our citizens.
See all the ways that you can support Rotary and our community projects here.
Rotary has not only fundraised for this project through the many community events that we run every year, but also through funding support from the Mathews Community Foundation, Global Grant Funding from The Rotary International Foundation, and private citizen donations. Join our efforts and help support the Water for Everyone Project, to provide safe, clean, and accessible water pumps for our citizens.
See all the ways that you can support Rotary and our community projects here.
COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS:
"I greatly appreciate the water and how you all came through for the community."
"Onemo would be a great choice! I know there are many who could benefit..."
"So good to know water is available at multiple places! This will be so much easier for so many people!"
"Onemo would be a great choice! I know there are many who could benefit..."
"So good to know water is available at multiple places! This will be so much easier for so many people!"