Affordable water technologies as a key to reach the base of the pyramid

Innovations have drastically reduced cost and increased sustainability of many water and sanitation technologies. New Smart Water Solutions are simple, affordable and available.* They can be produced and/or sold by the local private sector so income is generated and spare parts are available resulting in a “profit-based sustainability”. Water quality can be improved with new household water treatment options at costs of 0.1 -0.5 US$/person/year. Water quantity can increase with new rainwater harvesting, well drilling technologies and 100 US$ hand pumps. In East Africa these hand pumps are providing water for 20 families irrigating crops that feed 80 people all year round. With large scale capacity building on new affordable technologies the local private sector will be stimulated and more families at the Base of the Pyramid could increase health, produce food production and increase income.