Published: January 19, 2026
WEALA, Margibi County — Jeety Rubber Corporation in Salala, Margibi County has put smiles onm the faces of residents of Weala who have been struggling, especially dry seasons to access clean and safe drinking water. The moment appears to be special as residents narrate their horrifying experiences over the years in attempts to see accessing clean and safe drinking water becomes history.
One of the residents, Mary Kollie, said sunrise, she used to walk nearly two miles with her teenage daughter, plastic containers balanced on their heads, to fetch water from a shallow creek that often turned brown during the rainy season. “Sometimes the water smelled bad, but we had no other choice,” she said. “When the children got sick, we thought it was normal.”
Mary’s experience mirrors that of thousands of Liberians who still struggle to access clean and safe drinking water, particularly in rural and sub-urban communities where public infrastructure remains limited. Across the country, families rely on hand-dug wells, streams and unprotected water points, exposing them to waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and diarrhea. That daily hardship eased for residents of Weala this week with the dedication of a new deep borehole by Jeety Rubber and its subsidiary, Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC).
The borehole, powered by the companies’ electricity supply, provides free and safe drinking water to the community and adds to a growing network of water facilities supported by the companies. The newly commissioned well brings to nine the total number of boreholes operated by Jeety Rubber and SRC, collectively serving more than 6,000 residents with a daily capacity exceeding 18,000 gallons.
For women like Mary, the impact is immediate and deeply personal. “Now the water is close, and it is clean,” she said, filling a container from the new tap. “My children go to school early, and we don’t worry the same way about sickness.”
At the dedication ceremony, Margibi County Superintendent O. Jay Morris described the project as “an investment in people,” emphasizing that access to clean water is not only a health issue but a social and economic necessity. “When communities have reliable access to safe drinking water, you see fewer cases of preventable diseases,” Morris said, adding, “You also see women and children freed from the long walks for water, giving them time for school, work and family life.”
According to public health officials, limited access to clean water remains one of Liberia’s most persistent development challenges, particularly in areas hosting large populations and commercial operations. While government and international partners have expanded water systems in some urban centers, many communities still depend on private initiatives and community-driven solutions. Morris praised Jeety Rubber and SRC for aligning corporate growth with community development, noting that such partnerships help fill critical gaps where public resources are stretched thin. “Reliable water access strengthens household stability, supports education and livelihoods, and builds trust between investors and host communities,” he said.
The water project is part of Jeety Rubber and SRC’s broader social investment program in Weala and Cinta District.
Other initiatives include the expansion of a 50-bed clinic, a US$10,000 annual scholarship fund, a daily feeding program, eye-care outreach and support for emergency medical services.
Jeety Rubber CEO and owner Upjit Singh Sachdeva said the companies view access to clean water as a foundation for long-term development. “Our commitment is to mutual corporate growth,” Sachdeva said. “When the communities around us are healthy and empowered, the business environment is stronger and more sustainable.”
Community leaders say the borehole also reduces tensions that can arise when scarce water sources are shared by growing populations. With a dependable supply, residents no longer compete for access during dry seasons, when wells often run low.
For young people, the benefits extend beyond health. “Before, I missed school sometimes to help my mother fetch water,” said 14-year-old Sarah Kollie. “Now I can go early and concentrate on my lessons.” As Liberia continues to grapple with infrastructure gaps, the Weala project underscores how targeted investments can transform daily life. For residents who once planned their days around the search for water, the simple act of turning a tap has become a symbol of dignity — and a reminder that clean water remains both a basic right and an ongoing challenge across the country.
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