How It Works

The Clean Water Kenya project provides free, safe drinking water to rural communities by installing decentralized, solar-powered Clean Water Units. Each unit operates independently of the electricity grid, using a dedicated solar microgrid to power a reverse osmosis purification system. This system draws from local, untreated water sources like lakes, rivers, or groundwater and removes contaminants to produce clean, potable water.

To ensure safe and reliable access, the water is stored in specialized units that maintain proper temperature and hygiene standards. A community-based distribution network then transports the water from production sites to local storage points within a 1-kilometer radius of every household. This hub-and-spoke model ensures easy access while also creating local jobs through water delivery and system maintenance roles.

Each Clean Water Unit can produce between 20,000 to 380,000 liters of water per day, with the entire project targeting a combined output of 2.65 million liters daily—or nearly 1 billion liters per year. In addition to reducing waterborne diseases and eliminating the need for firewood-based water boiling, the project cuts an estimated 335,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. Beyond environmental impact, it also supports gender equality by reducing the time women and girls spend collecting water, while boosting local economies through shared profits and employment opportunities.