Akvo tackles water sanitation using Internet, mobile phones

Some of the most effective water sanitation projects in the developing world are low-tech solutions, but Hague, Netherlands-based Akvo is using high tech methods to improve the pipeline of projects.

Akvo launched its Web site in August to find projects, secure funding and track the progress of water sanitation projects across the globe. The Web site has evolved into a mixture of social media, Web 2.0 and mobile phone technology to improve a broken system that doesn't make it easy to connect potential investors with needy communities, said Peter van der Linde, co-founder and director of partnerships for Akvo.

"The water sector is inward looking , and they don’t make the maximum benefit of developments happening outside the water sector, like some developments that changed the Internet world," van der Linde told the Cleantech Group. "Tools like this are the only way we can really scale."

It's estimated that a billion people don't have safe drinking water, while 2 billion don't have sanitation facilities. About 2 million people die from the conditions each year, creating a need and potential market for any scalable, low-cost technology to address the problem.

The global water market is estimated at $450 billion for purification, desalination and conservation. The International Finance Corp., part of the World Bank Group, has noted the big opportunities in the field for businesses and has established a $100 million fund, called IFC Infraventures, to provide risk capital for early stage development of infrastructure projects in the poorest countries (see IFC sees big market for H2O).

Akvo has has raised $1.6 million of its $2.6 million goal from the Dutch government, corporate sponsors and donations. The company expects to break even in 2011-12 using several streams of income: low-cost membership fees to post projects in need of funding (van der Linde estimated a fee of a few euros a month); implementing corporate social responsibility programs; and consulting for water sanitation projects.The company has eight employees in California, Sweden, London, and the Hague.

So far, 15 of the 34 projects listed on the site have secured funding, raising €280,000 for projects in Asia and Africa. By the end of 2008, the goal is 25 to 50 projects. In 2009, the goal is 200. And by 2011-12, Akvo expects to have raised €20 million for local projects that help 1 million people.

Akvo also expects to extend its listings to projects in South America.

Akvo's site lists projects seeking funding, based on suggestions from NGO partners. Akvo said the Web site allows it to take advantage of efficiencies to get more of donors' cash to projects. Van der Linde said Akvo is targeting 2 percent to 4 percent overhead on donations, while the typical overhead is often greater than 10 percent.

Additionally, the site offers a Wikipedia-style communal research tool to share solutions being deployed in different geographical regions or problems that arise from technologies. Van der Linde said the tool allows regions to share information about new technologies that are effective in the field, such as the mission rope pump, which has been used in 70,000 projects in Nicaragua, he said.

"Information about these type of success stories doesn't always reach countries in Africa, for example, that are facing the same problems, so we’re trying to collect these success stories and offer more information, or links to YouTube films of people working with the technology," he said.

Finally, the third function of the Web site is to update donors on the progress of water sanitation projects with short text or photos that can be uploaded through the Web or through mobile phones, van der Linde said.

Akvo doesn't focus on getting donors to help individuals who are struggling. Instead, the company highlights what van der Linde calls "local heroes" such as organizations or leaders who can help communities become self-sustainable.

See the campaign here »

Most of the solutions highlighted on Akvo's site are low tech, such as a water pyramid that collects rainwater, or an ecological sanitation system that separates human sanitation waste to be used as fertilizer. Akvo is interested in highlighting new technologies but wants to highlight solutions that are low cost, easy to operate, and easy to repair.

"Most people who want to help come from a culture where low-tech solutions have a bad image," van der Linde said. "We're just looking for technologies that work in the field. Simple technology doesn't mean it's easy to do."