1001fontaines

1001fontaines is a non-profit organization designing and deploying sustainable safe drinking water solutions for vulnerable populations. The NGO 1001fontaines was created in 2004 and is dedicated to improving the health of isolated populations by enabling them to produce and consume safe drinking water based on a social business model that ensures the communities’ autonomy and sustainability. The 1001fontaines safe drinking water production units (water kiosks) are managed as micro-businesses by local villagers trained to become entrepreneurs. The purified water, sealed in sterilised 20 litre containers, is sold to villagers at an affordable price. The exact selling price is determined in consultation with local community leaders, and is usually set at around € 0.02 per litre. The revenues generated by the water sales enable the local entrepreneurs to cover their costs and ensure the sustainability of the initiative. A water kiosk generally produces to litres of safe drinking water per day, enabling 1,500 people to benefit from the service, or 250 families. More than 300 water kiosks are currently operating. Once a site reaches its break-even point (when revenues cover all costs), the entrepreneur takes part in the "Water in School" programme to provide water free of charge to children at school. Today our water kiosks enable more than 1 million people to benefit from safe drinking water every day and children in their schools through the "Water in School" programme. Our ambition is to reach 2 million beneficiaries by 2025.