Aquasafi provides safe water to underserved communities at affordable price points, through a sustainable business model.

According to a United Nations world water report, 880 million people around the world and 154 million people in India do not have access to clean, potable water. A majority of these people reside in communities where water may be available and, with appropriate technology, can be treated to reduce water borne illnesses.

Aquasafi, incubated at the Deshpande Center for Social Entrepreneurship in Hubli, is the Indian arm of H2O for Humanity, L3C, whose team has over two decades experience and several patents on water purification in the US. Aquasafi leverages this proprietary technology together with the local expertise of NGOs and entrepreneurs to set up water stores in communities. The stores are run by locally hired Operators creating jobs and micro-entrepreneurs, while providing pure water at a very affordable price.

We started our India operations in late 2010 in Gadag district in Karnataka, a region with very high fluoride and dissolved solids. We plan to set up water stores in 50+ locations by end of 2012. Our goal is to provide pure water to 1 million people and create livelihood for over 800 people by 2015.

Problema

According to a United Nations world water report, 880 million people around the world and 154 million people in India do not have access to clean water. More than 3.5 million people die each year from water-related disease; 84 percent are children. Nearly all deaths, 98 percent, occur in the developing world. Every 21 seconds, a child dies from diarrhea. This amounts to approximately 4,100 deaths a day. An extensive survey in Karnataka state in India revealed that 60% of sources tested exceeded 1 ppm of fluoride, 20% of sources tested positive for nitrate contamination, while 38% had bacteriological contamination. Aquasafi establishes water purification units in communities that lack safe drinking water, partnering with NGOs and local entrepreneurs to provide pure water at a low cost through a sustainable model. We started our operations in north Karnataka, India.

Solução

Aquasafi establishes water purification units in underserved communities leveraging its proprietary reverse osmosis based technology and design, which consumes lower electricity, less water and requires less space than traditional systems. The water units are owned and run by NGOs with grassroots presence or local entrepreneurs who have a strong understanding of the local priorities and sensitivities. Aquasafi provides the technology, servicing & maintenance, daily performance monitoring, helps create awareness and ensures that pure water is dispensed consistently at all times. Local Operators are hired to operate the unit and provide delivery of water, creating local employment. Responsibilities of Aquasafi, the partner organization and operators are clearly defined. Entrepreneurs sell water to their communities at a price that enables them to earn a living apart from recovering the operating cost and capital cost of the unit. NGOs have opted to cover only the operating cost from the sale of water. Low interest loans are made available where required to set up the water units, through tie-ups with lenders and micro credit organizations. Since the ownership of the water units is with the NGO/ entrepreneur, they show great initiative and resourcefulness in addressing the local challenges and ensuring success of the units. Pure water is provided to people at a very affordable price, while being sustainable to all players.

Exemplo

Aquasafi’s first NGO field partner to set up water purification units in north Karnataka is Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP), a large and respected organization from the temple town of Dharmasthala, Karnataka. • Areas of high water contamination were identified, for our solution to be relevant and for communities to be willing to pay for water. • Awareness on water quality was created through sessions & demos, door-to-door campaigns, videos and word of mouth. • We partnered with village gram panchayats, who provided source water supply and a room to house the water purification unit. • The first units in 5 villages became fully operational in February 2011. • Maintenance staff visit each unit twice a month to check the health of the unit and replace consumables. • Two operators run each unit and provide water to people. Any problems are immediately brought to the notice of our maintenance staff who address issues within defined service levels. New initiatives are discussed in the monthly operators meeting. • Performance of all units is monitored on a daily basis by tracking key parameters, to ensure consistent pure water. • Manuals and documentation for operators and maintenance staff reduces the learning curve and provides a quick reference on the field. • Pure water is made available to over 15,000 people at a very affordable price of Rs. 2 per 20 litres, while ensuring that the water units are self sustaining.

Ofertas e demandas

There are several players in the market that provide water purification units based on reverse osmosis and other technologies. All organizations together cover less than 5% of the communities that do not have access to clean water in India. There is room for several players, which can sustainably provide safe water at an affordable price to the end user. Aquasafi’s differentiators: • Most traditional water purifying systems in rural India lack local ownership and maintenance. Our water units are owned and run by an NGO with grassroots presence or a local entrepreneur, who ensure the success of the units. Aquasafi provides regular maintenance to check the health of the system and also has defined service levels to addresses issues. • 3 phase power has limited availability in rural India. Our units’ ability to function on single phase power enables longer operating times and helps serve more people. • The system’s high efficiency membranes and design translates into lower power consumption and lower water consumption. The compact design, with a footprint of 2 ft x 2 ft requires less space which reduces land/ construction costs. • All processes are documented and our maintenance staff and operators go through a training program that ensures adherence. • Daily performance monitoring and tracking of metrics ensures consistent pure water. • Maintenance is managed by local partners who are trained by Aquasafi, which brings in operational efficiencies.