Wed, 10/15/2014 - 00:00

(15 October 2014)—World Vision, which is the largest nongovernmental provider of clean water in the developing world, has together with Grundfos announced a new partnership to provide clean water to 2 million people in sub-Saharan Africa during the next five years. “The partnership of World Vision and Grundfos will help millions of poor people have access to clean water,” said Greg Allgood, vice president of water at World Vision. “Not only are World Vision and Grundfos providing clean water but we’re providing it with clean energy by using solar-powered systems.” World Vision will install more than 1,000 Grundfos solar-powered pumps in sub-Saharan African villages in order to provide a sustained water supply. World Vision already has a long-term humanitarian development presence in these communities, which supplements the clean water with other critical needs such as economic development, health care and education. “This partnership is truly historic and unique,” said Rasoul D. Mikkelsen, director for strategic partnerships in Grundfos. “Grundfos and World Vision will engage in many ways to take on this huge and very important task of supplying drinking water in critical areas. Together we will target the most vulnerable people in developing countries, enabling us to ensure decent and sustainable living conditions for millions of people.” Once World Vision digs a well that serves as a community’s water source, it will use a solar-powered Grundfos pump to store the water in an overhead tank. An automatic water dispenser with water management system will ensure effective monitoring and long-term support, service and maintenance. These mechanized systems not only are environmentally friendly and provide more accessible water points for the community, but they are also less expensive per person reached to install than traditional boreholes. World Vision already is an industry leader in this approach, having provided more than 200 of these mechanized water systems in villages around the world. The collaboration also will enable World Vision to maintain the average per-person cost, currently $50, of providing clean water. In addition to providing clean water in sub-Saharan Africa, World Vision and Grundfos will share knowledge and expertise in implementing solutions for a sustainable water supply in the developing world.