In an age dominated by computer applications and systems, where concepts such as “sustainability,” “inclusion,” and “digitalization” exist, it may seem absurd that the well-being of a rural family can be determined by access to drinking water public service.

And yet, the access to drinking water is one of the indicators of poverty and exclusion, which severely affects sustainable development on its social pillar and prevents access to more complex public services and creates a clear sense of inferiority for those affected. Children and adults who do not have access to running water are often not only marginalized by society, but in real danger of falling sick.

The issue remains of date, especially in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, which further makes poor families vulnerable. Given that the personal hygiene measures are the main defense against the virus, the lack of running water only exacerbates the risks which people in these households are exposed to.

In August 2021, the local team from Curcani (Călărași County) of the project Be part of the community! organized working visits to disadvantaged families from several areas of the locality, selected on the basis of the results of the mapping stage of homes with increased vulnerability, carried out during December 2020 and May 2021. Thus, the experts visited, among others, the areas Carol I, Independenței, Rahova, Podului.

For the beginning, the technical expert of the City Hall stated that two main models were used to substantiate the investments, namely: a short water connection and a long water connection. This type of approach was necessary for two reasons: the first is that on site there are situations in which the distance between the water main connection and the place where the installation is to be located varies greatly, and the second reason is related to the substantiation of the budget in a differentiated manner, this being the reason why the works do not have a predefined cost (average cost).