Clean drinking water is a readily accessible resource for most Canadians but still beyond the reach of those living on the streets.

With summer-like temperatures greeting the city, the Toronto Police Service’s 13 Division is partnering with various organizations to distribute 400,000 bottles of water and essential items through Engage and Change’s Project Water program.

Project Water is designed to help the less fortunate endure the hardships of summer by providing necessities such as reusable water bottles, toiletries and first aid items. The supplies will be distributed to outreach providers and homeless shelters.

“The number of cases requested by agencies each year for clean drinking water is staggering,” said Jody Steinhauer, founder of Project Water, in a news release.

Access to life-saving water remains a challenge for relief agencies and outreach programs that provide aid to those living in shelters and on the city streets, the release states.

The problem is growing – the aftershock of COVID, the lack of affordable housing, the opioid crisis, poor hygiene, and a steady increase in refugees mean that the “mortality rate among this high-risk group could surpass critical numbers,” the release adds.

Since its inception in 2000, Project Water has placed in excess of two million bottles of water into the hands of people facing homelessness in Toronto and surrounding area.