Planet Water Foundation
Think Human Fund
Mission & History
Founded in 2009, Planet Water Foundation was established to address the critical need for clean water in impoverished areas. The organization initially focused on deploying AquaTowers—portable water purification systems—to provide immediate access to safe drinking water. Over time, it expanded its efforts to include comprehensive WASH education programs, community engagement, and corporate partnerships. The foundation has grown to become a key player in global water initiatives, impacting numerous communities through its scalable and adaptable programs.
The mission of Planet Water Foundation is to provide access to clean and safe drinking water and improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices in underserved communities worldwide. They aim to create sustainable solutions that transform the lives of people in need, focusing on both environmental impact and behavioral change.
Country Information
With a population of 113 million, many people in the Philippines face significant challenges in accessing safe water. UN and UNICEF data reveal that 53% of households lack a safely managed water supply, and 39% lack safe sanitation. The situation is even more critical in schools, where 55% do not have a safely managed water supply and 26% lack safe sanitation.
The Need
Access to safe drinking water is a crucial issue in the Philippines, further complicated by climate challenges. Providing safe water can transform communities by enhancing health and alleviating the financial strain of buying bottled water.
The Project We Fund
- Planet Water’s program drives environmental and behavioral change through:
Safe Water Supply: Installing AquaTowers in schools to provide 1,000 liters of clean water per hour, meeting WHO standards and including handwashing facilities.
Water-Health Education: Teaching water hygiene, handwashing, and germ prevention with interactive lessons and AquaTower signage.
Monitoring and Sustainability: Conducting twelve post-deployment site visits over four years to ensure system operation and provide ongoing training, with progress tracked via an online system.
Corporate Engagement: Collaborating with companies for volunteer opportunities and branding, with volunteers assisting in AquaTower installation and education.
Community Involvement: Engaging local stakeholders and training school staff, ensuring long-term support and maintenance.
Additional components include the AquaSan system for disinfecting school areas and reusable stainless steel cups to reduce plastic waste and support hygiene education.
The Result
Planet Water aims to achieve the following objectives with the proposed program:
– Provide clean, safe drinking water and handwashing facilities for up to 1,800 people daily at each project site.
– Enhance students’ awareness and knowledge of water-health and hygiene, and boost their capacity to implement educational programs.
– Promote behavior change among students to improve water-health and hygiene practices.
– Increase community engagement on issues related to clean water access.
– Improve sanitation capabilities in schools, creating a safer environment for students.
Impact will be assessed through photos taken on project day and ongoing in-person sustainability visits conducted by the Planet Water team over the next four years.
