Water is the essence of all life on Earth, and access to potable water is an absolute human right. To resolve the global arsenic water crisis that affects over 200 million people across 70 countries, Drinkwell is pioneering an alternative method for providing potable water to affected communities by transforming existing arsenic-affected tube wells into local profitable water enterprises. The organization provides affected villagers with water filtration technology and business tools, and in turn, the villagers become entrepreneurs of these mirco-water businesses.

Drinkwell filtration systems extract the arsenic and do it efficiently. “Whereas current solutions use Reverse Osmosis technology that wastes 40%-60% of input water, Drinkwell wastes only 1% of water,” their website explains. The polymers, or resin beads, are infused with nanoparticles which extract arsenic from water flowing through them. These polymers are regenerable and can filter water for years.

This alternative development not only prevents thousands of people from drinking hazardous water, but also helps local economies by creating jobs and generating income at local level.

After looking at various business models and existing water programs, [Minhaj] Chowdhury [Drinkwell cofounder] discovered the most sustainable programs were those that engaged locals in a for-profit system.

“Historically, we’ve relied on external funding to grow,” Trisha Chakraborty, Drinkwell’s lead consultant for strategic initiatives, told Mic. “But we’ve come to a place where we’re relying on micro-loans to enable entrepreneurs to sell clean water themselves, and, in doing so, can grow well beyond anything external funding can provide. You’re no longer reliant on philanthropy; this is a self-sustaining business model.”

Read more about it here.