By Tessa Febiani
Access to safe drinking water is a basic necessity for all, yet it remains a challenge for billions of people worldwide. Globally, 4.4 billion people lack access to safe drinking water at home. Every year more than half a million children pass away because of a constant exposure to bacteria in dirty drinking water. In Indonesia, while 88% of the population has access to basic drinking water, only 7% can safely consume water directly. The government has set a target of achieving 100% access to basic drinking water and 15% access to safe drinking water by 2024, as outlined in the RPJMN 2020-2024. Achieving this goal requires innovative solutions to ensure every household has access to safe and affordable water.
Nazava is a social enterprise committed to transforming how people access safe drinking water. Based in Bandung, Nazava produces high quality and affordable water filters using Dutch technology and manufactured in Indonesia under the brand name Nazava® Water Filters. Nazava’s durable and WHO-tested water filter enables households to filter well or tap water without the need to boil or use electricity, hence reducing human diseases, household costs, and greenhouse gas emissions. Since its establishment in 2009, Nazava has provided over 600,000 people across Indonesia, Ethiopia, and Kenya with access to safe drinking water through over 150 resellers in more than 50 locations in these countries.
Affordable Water Filter for Home and School
Nazava’s core technology is its innovative Nazava PROT3CT, which uses three filtration layers. The ceramic layer, featuring 0.4 micron pores, effectively removes bacteria and dirt in water. The silver layer (nano silver) kills germs, while the activated carbon layer removes chemicals, eliminates odor, and improves water freshness. This technology removes 99.99% of bacteria and filters various types of freshwaters into safe drinking water, including tap water (PDAM), well water, rainwater, and river water. Nazava ceramic filters can purify up to 7.000 litres of water or equivalent to 350 gallons and last 2-3 years depending on usage.
Beyond household use, Nazava has introduced the Safe Drinking Water for School program, addressing the problem in schools, where only 21% provide safe drinking water for their students. As a result, many students buy expensive, often sugary drinks, consume contaminated water, or suffer from dehydration, which contribute to various health issues, such as diarrhea, stunting, wasting, obesity, and diabetes, that negatively impact a child’s growth. The initiative helps schools to install affordable water filters to ensure students have access to clean drinking water and a healthier habit.
Enhancing Health, Saving, and Sustainability
Nazava water filters have improved the quality of life for communities. Over 500,000 people have experienced better health due to the removal of 99.9% of harmful bacteria from their water. This has resulted in a 59% reduction in diarrhea cases among users, according to the survey in the HEC study. The water filter generates economic and environmental benefits as well. Each Nazava filter makes $21.24 household savings per year, reduces fuel usage by 39%, and cuts CO2 emissions by 0.25 tons per year. Using the water filter also frees up 3.5 weeks per household each year, that would otherwise be spent on fetching or boiling water.
Safe Drinking Water for School program successfully piloted in Banten Province in collaboration with Aqua-Danone in 2021. Nazava also worked with local government and school headmasters to ensure the best design and implementation of the project. By providing water filters to 150 schools in Lebak Regency, this initiative impacted 35,000 children and improved their drinking habits with an average cost of less than $2 per child. Fluid consumption per child increased from 80 ml to 442 ml per day and 98% of students expressed their satisfaction with the filtered water, preferring it over packaged drinks. This impact was measured by conducting surveys before and after the filters were installed.
Nazaya plan to expand the program to provide water filters to 50,000 school across Indonesia by 2027 and is expected to impact 12.5 million children. By involving local stakeholders and offering cost-effective options like rental program or buy one get one free deals, schools can access the filters for as little as $0.02 per child per month.
Nazava’s innovative approach to providing safe drinking water has created impacts on health, economy, and sustainability. They don’t only improve access to clean water, but also foster healthier communities and greener futures.
Source:
https://global.nazava.com/
https://www.nazava.com/
https://www.nawasis.org/portal/galeri/read/target-akses-air-minum-nasional-tahun-2020-2024/51839