1001fontaines Water Kiosk

In Cambodia, 6.3 million people still have no access to safe drinking water (UNICEF, 2014). Although progress has been made towards reaching the Millenium Development Goals (in 2013, 57% of households were reported as having access to an improved water source [Cambodia Inter-Censal Population Survey]), these achievements mask a relatively unequal progress between urban and rural settings. Only 23% of rural households actually benefit from a safe source of drinking water due to the challenges of maintenance, last-mile distribution and recontamination during transportation and storage. In fact, 90% of poor households in Cambodia live in rural areas and 72% of the population lives on less than $3 a day. These communities often struggle with fatal instances of diarrhea among children, which could be preventable if water access were improved. The people most at-risk include farmers, fishermen, landless people, as well as women and children in the village. These families currently live on $60-80 per month and are the target beneficiaries of 1001fontaines’ efforts.




1001fontaines’ innovative development strategy enables rural populations to produce safe drinking water themselves through the creation of social micro-enterprises. Small water kiosks are set up and entrusted to local entrepreneurs, who are hired and trained by in-country partners. Water is produced locally using a low-cost technology (microfiltration and UV treatment powered by solar energy). It is then bottled in 20L containers and sold at an affordable price to villagers (~$0,013/L) and provided free of charge to children at school. The water bottles are delivered at home, guaranteeing distribution to the intended end-users. The empty bottles are then collected by the entrepreneurs, cleaned, and refilled, thus minimizing waste.




In setting up the water kiosks, 1001fontaines:



 	
Selects a target village with the support of the Ministry of Rural Development of Cambodia and its Provincial Representatives.
 	
Recruits a local entrepreneur with the support of the chief of commune and key opinion leaders in the village (school teacher, doctor, etc.).
 	
Trains the entrepreneur to run the station (how to treat the water and manage a micro-business).
 	
Builds the actual treatment unit.
 	
Supports the launch of the site (organizes an inauguration ceremony and provides assistance in recruiting the first clients).
 	
Supports the entrepreneur through monthly coaching and additional training until he/she generates enough water sales to cover all costs. The project can then sustain itself.