Bottled water firms are helping to install drinking water pumps in developing countries
UK natural bottled water companies are making a real difference to the lives of over a million people in developing countries through the provision of clean drinking water. Consumers are increasingly choosing to support ethical causes through their purchasing habits – and the natural bottled water industry is ahead of many other FMCG sectors in offering direct and meaningful projects for consumers to support.
According to 2008 statistics from the World Health Organization, 41% of Africans did not have access to clean drinking water sources in 2006. In rural areas, the figure was more like 54%. In many countries, the situation is a lot worse. 69% of rural Ethiopians do not have access to clean drinking water.
Bottled water companies are in a privileged position to be able to help by raising both the consciousness of this issue and funding for clean water projects. As a highly visible consumer product, it can get the message across through packaging and advertising messages, and in-store promotions. Of course, there is no better time to remind people of less fortunate populations in water-stressed areas than at the time of drinking fresh, clean water themselves.
Volvic’s “1 litre for 10 litres”
Danone Waters is working in partnership with World Vision on its “1 litre for 10 litre” project. For every one litre of Volvic sold in the UK, Danone Waters and World Vision will generate ten litres of clean and safe drinking water in communities across Africa through the provision of mechanised wells. These wells deliver a large amount of water over a short period of time, meaning more people will not only have access to clean drinking water but will be able to use the water to improve health and sanitation, as well as for other essential activities such as irrigation for farming. See: Volvic 1 for 10
In 2008, wells will be dug and mechanised across Ghana, Malawi, Zambia and Mali with further wells in Ethiopia and Niger to follow by the end of 2010. The wells will generate over 1.7 billion litres of water in 2008 and Danone targets a total of over 6 billion litres over a period of 3 years.
Pump Aid
Waterbrands is working with Pump Aid, an established UK charity with over 11 years’ experience in delivering sustainable and cost effective solutions to provide clean water to impoverished communities. For every multipack of Thirsty Planet water sold, 50p is donated to Pumpaid to build pumps in Zimbabwe and Malawi. The company says 1 litre of Thirsty Planet equates to between 50,000 and 150,000 litres of clean water to communities in Africa. By the end of 2007, the company claimed to have raised over £300,000 and provided over 600,000 people with a lifetime’s supply of clean water.
Frank Water Projects
FRANK supports technology based clean water projects around the world. Every 1 litre of FRANK spring water bought in the UK helps fund 200 litres of clean, safe drinking water for villagers at FRANK projects in India and Africa. By May 2007, the brand supported 4 clean water projects, all located in Andhra Pradesh, India, supplying clean, safe drinking water for over 20,000 people.
One Water
100% of profits from the sale of One Water fund the installation of roundabout powered water pumps in Africa called PlayPump® water system. As children play and spin on the roundabout, clean drinking water is pumped from deep underground into storage tanks with taps supplying clean water to the local community. Now instead of walking hours to collect water, children can go to school and get an education whilst the community benefits from a sustainable water supply. Each PlayPump® provides clean water to 2,500 people and so far over £1.2m has been donated to fund PlayPumps® throughout South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland and Mozambique. The Co-operative Group also supports The One Foundation by donating to PlayPump® from the sale of their Fairbourne Springs brand.
WaterAid
Every bottle sold provides clean water to one person for one month. UK based Belu donates its profits to fund clean water projects in the developing world with the support of the charity WaterAid. It has installed water pumps and sanitation systems in India and Mali.
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