South Asia Pure Water Initiative, Inc., (SAPWII, pronounced “sap-wee”) is a privately funded, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, incorporated in Connecticut since 2005. Its purpose is to manufacture and put into service Bio-Sand Filters in South Asia to provide clean drinking water to communities in need.
LOCATION OF WORK
SAPWII has initially provided funding and technical expertise for a Bio-Sand Filter water project in Kolar District, Karnataka state, South India. SAPWII established a factory in Kolar to manufacture Bio-Sand Filters, and place those filters in area households and villages where existing water is often contaminated.
India Map Karnataka State Map Kolar District Map
WHO IS SAPWII?
Co-founded by a husband and wife team with Peace Corps and Rotary backgrounds, SAPWII now employs more than a score in the Kolar Water Project and an unpaid board of directors based in the United States who offer their expertise in small-scale drinking water projects.
DEDICATION TO QUALITY
SAPWII is honored to receive the highest praise for its work. “Their facility is without a doubt one of the most professional Bio-Sand Filter manufacturing projects on earth. The dedication and meticulous attention to detail are obvious in the superior finish of the filters.” (CAWST.org 2006 Annual Report)
VISION
Our initiatives are designed to mobilize communities around the importance of clean water in three ways: provide clean point-of-use drinking water; educate children about better hygiene; provide community-based employment for project staff. Our five-years goal is to manufacture and install 15,000 filters in South India by 2011 and provide ongoing water and sanitation education.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
The success or failure of an international non-profit project depends on the members of the host and donor communities. SAPWII’s ability to achieve its goals depends upon the commitment of those involved, a clearly stated purpose, dedication of supporters and staff to perform the labor, and long-term agreement to create a sustainable enterprise.
CONTINUITY
Through U.S. board members and the SAPWII staff in Kolar, India, SAPWII remains in contact with each community to ensure clean drinking water continues to flow to as many Indian households as possible. Regularly throughout the year SAPWII’s Project Reports from the United States and Field Reports from India detail conditions and accomplishments for all supporters to follow and become more involved.
PARTNERSHIPS
Each initiative over time tends to be linked with its sponsors. SAPWII encourages sponsoring organizations and individual sponsors to visit Kolar District in South India and see the projects they have funded first hand. In the interim SAPWII makes it a priority to communicate with sponsors to keep them abreast of new developments and progress.
TYPES OF PROJECTS
SAPWII’s unique Adopt-A-Village Partnership allows donors to change peoples lives in an entire village. Communities in need are identified, vetted and waiting for a sponsor to donate Bio-Sand Filters to the neediest villagers and provide subsidized filters to those who can afford to purchase them. To ensure success every Adopt-A-Village Partnership also funds a village-level Community Steward position for one year to maintain village filters and promote sound hygiene practices.
SPONSORSHIP COSTS
Clean drinking water is delivered in many ways from providing a filter at no cost to a family for $25, to donating two water filters to a school accompanied by a clean water education program for $100, to providing up to 60 filters and subsidizing up to 30 more filters for an entire Adopt-A-Village Partnership with a one-year Community Steward position for $2500.
SAPWII Brochure
CONTACT US
South Asia Pure Water Initiative, Inc.
2832 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518 USA
Phone: 203-281-0747
Email: info@SAPWII.org
Web: SAPWII.org
Co-Founders:
Mike Lipman
Cathy Forsberg
Water Crisis
