Drop By Drop To A Fundamental Right

In Nepal, contaminated drinking water has posed a long-standing health crisis, with numerous communities struggling with the consequences of limited access to clean and affordable water.

Drinking polluted groundwater carries severe health consequences as it can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases, such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid. Lack of access to clean water also burdens women and girls, who are typically responsible for water collection, often having to walk long distances to fetch water that may not even be safe to consume.

The struggle for clean drinking water can exacerbate poverty and limit economic opportunities. Families that spend significant time and effort collecting water may have less time for work, education, and personal development. This perpetuates a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break.

Our mission is to break this cycle by empowering local communities with sustainable, community-led water filtration solutions. Access to clean water is not just a necessity. It’s a fundamental human right.

WATER PROJECT

Drop By Drop To A Fundamental Right

In Nepal, contaminated drinking water has posed a long-standing health crisis, with numerous communities struggling with the consequences of limited access to clean and affordable water.

27%

of the Nepali population face challenges in obtaining safe and clean drinking water

44,00

children under the age of five die every year from waterborne diseases in Nepal

20%

of the population still collects water from open sources or boreholes, which are considered unsafe

Our Solution

We provide access to safe and clean drinking water while promoting awareness of the health consequences caused by water consumption from contaminated sources. To do this in a financially sustainable manner, NIDISI and the local community of Devgaun village created the Happy Water NGO, a community-led water filtration centre. The centre is independent, laying in the hands of the people it serves, and set off to deliver long-lasting impact.

Happy Water purifies groundwater using innovative technology developed by our partner, Autarcon. This Social Business sells 20-litre water jars for less than half the market price. It is distributed either at the centre or delivered by truck directly to the families living in nearby villages across the area inhabited by more than 6.000 people. The generated income is sufficient to cover the salaries of 2 employees and the centre´s maintenance expenses. Water is also supplied free of charge for more than 400 school children attending a nearby school every day.

Our solution empowers the people it serves by inspiring collective problem-solving initiatives. The community members holding seats in Happy Water’s voluntary board of directors organise educational campaigns, spreading awareness regarding the importance of drinking safe Water.

Our Solution

Our Impact

Improving health:
by reducing waterborne diseases through raised access to safe and affordable water

Empowering communities:
by transferring knowledge and centre´s ownership to local communities

Increasing awareness:
by delivering education on the importance of clean drinking water

Strengthening position of women:
by giving leadership positions to local women, breaking stereotypes

Creating a positive learning environment:
by supplying school children with free water every day

Fostering regional growth:
by boosting local economic growth and community independence

What Happened so Far?

Field Research

Our journey began with field research on water quality, health situation, and community needs in the Nawalparasi region.

Opening of the Happy Water NGO center

Joint collaboration between NIDISI, the villagers of Devgaun and local authorities led to the opening of our first water filtration centre.

+2.7 million liters sold

Until today, Happy Water provided more than 2.7 million litres (and counting!) of safe and affordable water.

+1000 school kids supplied with water

Since the day our filtering centre opened, we have supplied +400 primary school children with free drinkable water every day.

Increasing our reach

Today, Happy Water provides three villages with over 7500 inhabitants with access to clean drinking water.

Raising awareness

Together with the local community and school kids we run multiple door-to-door awareness campaign, addressing the dangers of water from unsafe sources

Our Next Steps

Awareness Campaigns in cooperation with local primary school

Research on potential locations for another water filtration centre

Replication of the filtration centre in new locations

Our Vision

Happy Water is a successfully implemented pilot project. It was designed to be replicated in other locations where communities struggle to access safe and accessible drinking water. Now, let’s expand!

Replication of the project

We will replicate this Social Business model in other regions of Nepal. We will choose the following project locations based on factors such as population needs and willingness to self-organisation, water quality or government long-term water infrastructure planning. Not every location is suitable!

Creating a network of communities

So far, we have learned from the community of Devgaun, and they have learned from us. But in the long run, NIDISI wants to be involved as little as necessary. While expanding in new locations, we will create a knowledge-sharing network of communities facing similar challenges. They will support one another in securing access to clean and affordable water for every Nepali.

READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

CONTACT

ADHITYA

WATER PROJECT COORDINATOR

READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

CONTACT

ADHITYA

WATER PROJECT

COORDINATOR