safe Water
Safe water changes everything, but simply drilling wells and giving away water to communities will never solve the water crisis without a long-term plan for ownership, financing, and sustainability. At Water4, we believe the long-term market based solution to the water crisis solves this.
All over Africa, Water4 businesses are creating a path for financially viable micro-utilities.
All over Africa, Water4 businesses are creating a path for financially viable micro-utilities. In the traditional charity model, donors pay for water infrastructure in Africa perpetually because systems break down and the expectation is that charity once again replaces it. Water4 challenges that model by empowering local businesses to sell water at an affordable price. That way, system maintenance is paid through customer revenue and the business has incentives to expand its market by leveraging blended finance. A single up-front donation catalyzes a sustainable service that lasts for generations. Lasting change takes courage but results in greater self sufficiency.
Hand Pumps
Water4 community wells are designed to serve communities up to 300 people. Each community well consists of a concrete pad constructed on top of a drilled borehole fitted with a hand pump. Communities contribute a small upfront amount to ensure buy in toward construction of their well, and donated capital covers the remaining cost. Once a well is constructed, families pay around $.33 a month towards maintenance and individual community members can use as much as needed. The cost for each community well includes Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) training to help communities discover how to prevent waterborne disease transmission through proper sanitation and hygiene, including but not limited to handwashing, safe food preparation, latrine usage, and other simple interventions.
Piped Water
Water4 NUMA piped water networks are designed to serve communities up to 3000 people. A NUMA network includes a solar powered central NEXUS station with filtration & pumping technology, substation NODE extensions linked to the NEXUS to serve as satellite water distribution points, and NOW taps in homes, schools,and clinics. The NUMA Network as a whole is designed to serve a) walk-up customers, b) customers who want safe water piped in their homes, and c) institutional customers including schools, clinics and businesses. Donated capital funds the initial construction, while revenue from water sales covers operational and maintenance expenses, ensuring long-term sustainability of each network.