In the face of a growing water crisis, one local church has stepped forward. Faith Revival Church in Phoenix has installed a borehole that draws water from 180 metres below the church property, feeding two Jojo tanks of 5,000 litres each. The borehole has a flow rate of 1,500 litres per hour, and the water undergoes a rigorous purification process, making it safe for human consumption. It is open to the public, and since December 2025, a steady stream of residents have been filling empty bottles and buckets there.
The idea came from head pastor Nishan Rooplal during a conversation with a friend.
“My friend, who is also a pastor, comes from a farm area where they regularly use borehole water. In our conversation, we realised that our church is on one of the most elevated sites in Phoenix, making it ideal for a borehole. With the water crisis we have been experiencing, I believed we could do something for our community. So I began my research and had faith.”
Early in December 2025, a specialist used a rod system to detect water under the church property.
“We were all here, watching eagerly and in faith. It is a strange thing to see them walking and then see these rods begin to cross. Somehow they determine that there is a possibility of a vein of water underground. We were overjoyed when the report came back that water was detected.”
Drilling began, and their faith was tested.
“We hit 100 metres and no water was found. But we held fast to our faith. We drilled another 80 metres and we were so excited when we hit water. There are cases where people have drilled deep and not found water. So for me it is also an aspect of faith. It was nerve‑wracking. We really prayed that a miracle must happen, and to God be the glory, we did.”
Another milestone was testing the water for consumption after purification.
“We had to ensure the water was lab tested. To God be the glory, it came back with a pH of 7.6, which is pretty good. To remind me of this miracle, every now and then I go down to the borehole, open the tap and drink some water, just to taste it and make sure everything is fine.”
Describing the dedication of the borehole, Rooplal said: “That was beautiful and quite emotional. I wanted the entire church to know that this was an effort from every member of the congregation. Something we would remember for a very long time. Truly a landmark moment for the church.”
The borehole is not only for church members but for the entire community. There are no specific operating hours.
“We know people’s lifestyles are different and we do not want to place unreasonable constraints on when they can come and fetch water. We have guards on duty at the church 24 hours, and they are aware of what to do.”
The cost of running and maintaining the borehole and pumps is covered by the church. Future plans include installing solar panels so the pumps can work off the grid, especially during electrical outages.
The need for water remains overwhelming
Meanwhile, in a separate yet similar situation, Phoenix Child Welfare is appealing to residents and local businesses to donate bottled water and 5‑litre containers to sustain daily operations.
The lack of the precious resource is particularly severe for institutions such as the Phoenix Children’s Home and the Sahara Shelter – safe havens for children and families navigating crisis situations.
At these facilities, providing a glass of clean drinking water has become a growing concern. Staff face the additional strain of sourcing and managing limited water supplies. With Durban’s warm climate, maintaining basic hygiene, preparing meals, and ensuring wellbeing has become increasingly difficult.
“Without sufficient water, our children and shelter residents are facing serious hardship,” said Raj Saroop, president of Phoenix Child Welfare. “Access to water is a basic human need, yet it is becoming increasingly difficult to provide. We are calling on the community to assist us in protecting the health and dignity of those we serve.”
Beyond the physical challenges, the emotional toll is profound. Many of the children and families supported by the organisation are already navigating trauma and instability. The added burden of water insecurity has heightened anxiety.
“Even small contributions can make a meaningful difference,” Saroop said. “Every bottle of water becomes more than just relief – it becomes a symbol of hope.”