One of the three water plants in Meulaboh was destroyed completely, while the other two were badly damaged. Therefore, one of the first priorities was to develop a functioning water-supply system for the area.

A water and sanitation project set up by Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and Church World Service (CWS), both members of Action by Churches Together (ACT) International, started to operate very soon after the tsunami.

The water-purification system was installed in January on the shore of the Meurebo River, just beside the ruins of the old water plant.

This purification unit can produce 20,000 liters of clean water per hour. Water is pumped from the river in hoses to a big water basin, and after being treated with chemicals, it is directed through filters to the water stores. At the moment, the unit is producing water for more than 16,000 people.

"We take samples of the water every day and examine how clear the water is. The clarity and the quality of the water vary daily. For example, when it rains, there will be more soil in the water," NCA water expert Bjorn Monsen explains.