Most communities in the rural sub-Sahara region lack access to safe and hot water, basic indoor plumbing, a reliable electricity supply and to renewable energy source entirely.

Solvatten is a Swedish social enterprise with the mission of providing safe and hot water in a portable and environmental-friendly way to communities in underserved regions.

The Solvatten-kit is  a combined portable water treatment and water heating system that has been designed for off-grid household use, which can produce 20-30 litres water per day. The kit is a solar heater that opens like a book and, after a few hours in the sun, provides water that is free of waterborne microorganisms that would otherwise cause stomach diseases such as dysentery and cholera.

This solution simultaneously purifies and heats the water. contributing to improve health, hygiene, and socio-economic conditions while increasing use of sustainable energy sources in vulnerable communities. Solvatten-kits are at present used by 700.000+ people in 40 countries, mostly in East Africa.

NextEnergy Foundation is supporting Solvatten to provide rural households in the arid region of Taita Taveta, west Kenya, with access to clean and hot water. With soaring temperatures and minimal rainfall, such area faces frequent periods of extreme drought and flooding, resulting in suffering from water scarcity. The goal of the project supported by NextEnergy Foundation  is to provide 170 families with children under five living in this area with the Solvatten-kits.

This will widen NextEnergy Foundation impact in Kenya where we  already support a project for the distribution of portable solar lights to students in nearby Kwale County (see Mwezi Foundation Project).

November 2024 Update –  A total of 170 Solvatten kits have been distributed by Solvatten’s local partner, CANCO, in Taita-Taveta County, specifically in Taveta Sub-County. This semi-arid region is located 200 km northwest of Mombasa and 360 km southeast of Nairobi. The area experiences temperatures regularly exceeding 25°C and receives only 440 mm of annual rainfall.

Water supply in the region is scarce, primarily sourced from Lakes Chala and Jipe (shared between Kenya and Tanzania), River Lumi, roof catchment, surface runoff, and water pans. The piped water distribution system is poor and unreliable.

The beneficiaries have been trained on the use of the kits and their characteristics:

• Water is cleaned and heated in 2-4 hours
• Easy to use as an indicator shows when the water is safe
• Can be used multiple times per day
• Easy to use and carry
• Each kit provides 6,000 litres/year and is durable, lasting 7-10 years

Thanks to NextEnergy Foundation support, Solvatten estimates the following positive impacts on the local community:

• 850 people receiving clean and warm water
• 53,000 fewer sick days
• 7,000,000 liters of potable water made available
• 8,300 trees saved from being cut down and burned
• 756 tonnes of CO2e emissions avoided

Here is a quote from Mchahka, a 34-year-old woman, a pillar of her community in Lunga Lunga. Both a businesswoman and a leader, she champions local efforts to raise awareness about environmental conservation. She uses her Solvatten kit daily, storing the warm water in a thermos:

“We live in Lunga-Lunga. It’s very dry here and we have to travel far to collect firewood. Solvatten Kit helps me so much: the kit heats our water, saving time and money. I used to spend 100 shillings on firewood, but now it’s only 50. It saves me 2-3 hours each day. I use it to bathe the children and cook meals. I can’t imagine life without it. My Solvatten kit was a gift for me and my family. Women face so many obstacles, but now, being able to speak out like this, we are valued. Women’s voices are being heard.”

Access to clean and heated water has been a game-changer for Mchahka and the whole community, helping people to ease daily burdens and empowering entire communities.

Solvatten will provide an update in six months regarding the actual and significant positive impacts that the use of the kits has had on the local community.