The New Testament is filled with metaphors about “living water” to characterize spiritual fulfillment, the teachings of Jesus Christ, abundant life, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel of John (4:1-18) intimately links Jesus Christ with living water to symbolize a deep connection with Him and fellow followers. The woman approached the well for life-sustaining water. Spiritual fulfillment, divine symbolism, the Woman’s relationship with Christ and other men, and the woman’s obedience are the foci of the literature and Sunday morning sermons. The importance of physical, life-sustaining water has been overlooked. The woman traveled a long way to draw drinking water—perhaps to quench her thirst, to wash, or care for her household—only to walk away with something she never asked for. The Holy Spirit cannot save you from dehydration. This is not unique to biblical exegesis. It repeats itself as resources, rather than peace, are deployed to war-torn regions. Diverting resources and weaponizing necessities in geopolitical tensions overlooks immediate material needs.
Judith 7, in the Apocrypha, exemplifies how access to drinking water determines survival. In this story, an invading army seizes the city of Bethulia’s water supply, ensuring that those inside will either surrender or die of thirst. This ancient war tactic is seen around the globe as water is weaponized, withheld, and privatized. Invading forces in Palestine have routinely cut off access to water, echoing the siege of Bethulia. Water sources in the Western United States and along the U.S.-Mexico border are stressed. Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan struggle over the waters of the Nile. Reservoirs like Lake Mead are shrinking. Iran and Afghanistan grapple over river rights. International treaties to preserve the Great Lakes are in jeopardy. Industries taint Appalachian waters. Companies like Nestlé, Dasani, Coca Cola, and Aquafina accelerate this process by profiting from extracting a shared resource. We envision a future where access to freshwater is always guaranteed.
What can we do? One answer lies in ancient technology—the cistern. Aside from hoarding captured prisoners and as burial sites, cisterns have been used to capture and store rainwater. They ensure that communities have reserves during times of scarcity. Cisterns are a resilience tool in a world where water access is unstable. Harvesting rainwater is not out of reach. Buckets capture rainwater for plants, flushing toilets, and potable use. Storing water in tanks* will conserve water and money on utility bills. Homeowners and community spaces alike benefit from this technology. They are practical ways to secure local water supplies, reduce dependence on municipal systems, and withstand difficulty.
Cisterns are essential to the Living Village’s water management system. They are a sustainable response to the water crisis. They will ensure an abundant supply of water sustains the Divinity Quadrangle’s ecosystem while serving as a model for sustainable, low-income housing. Conditions in the Northeastern United States have worsened and spread, with Manhattan in New York City affected most by dry conditions. Water levels at reservoirs across the region are dwindling and precipitation is not expected to help much. Connecticut should prepare to withstand this crisis.
Clean, accessible water should not be withheld or privatized. In many parts of the world, drinking water is controlled, rationed, and stolen. This issue will intensify as the climate crisis intensifies. We can secure our water’s future by embracing cistern technology and advocating for sustainable practices.
*Consult a professional and your local zoning laws before installing an above or below-ground cistern