Until recently, no areas of the slum were connected to the sewage network, meaning many residents were forced to use the banks of the nearby river.
Until recently, no areas of the slum were connected to the sewage network, meaning many residents were forced to use the banks of the nearby river. © Nikhil Thakkar/Wateraid

At this year’s Glastonbury festival, WaterAid – one of the festival’s three main charity sponsors – will once again be handing out reusable water bottles and drumming up support for clean water programmes around the world. We take a look at its vital work in Safeda Basti, a Delhi slum whose 3,000 residents are cut off from the city’s water network

Men bathe and wash clothes in the open. Despite existing here for more than 20 years and having a lively electorate, the Safeda Basti community has never been formally recognised by the state.
Men bathe and wash clothes in the open. Despite existing here for more than 20 years and having a lively electorate, the Safeda Basti community has never been formally recognised by the state. © Adam Ferguson/WaterAid