The Power of Innovation and Partnerships: Transforming Lives Through Clean Water

In the Bwawani village in northern Tanzania, people rely on a dirty river that doesn’t regularly flow for their drinking and washing needs. They are among the more than 700 million people around the world lacking access to clean water.

More than 20 years ago, P&G’s Fabric Care scientists developed an innovative powdered water purification technology – that has the power of a water treatment plant in a small 4-gram packet. Using a packet, a cloth, spoon and a bucket, 10 liters of contaminated water can be turned into clean drinking water in 30 minutes.

Through the Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program, P&G partnered with The Pamoja Project, a nonprofit that helps vulnerable children and families by working with local community organizations within the Arusha region in Tanzania near Mount Kilimanjaro, to distribute the P&G water purification packets. To date, more than 30,000 people have received clean water which means more kids in school, healthier families and stronger communities.

Each year, World Water Day serves as an important day to bring the world together and commit to action to accelerating efforts to solve the water and sanitation crisis. For World Water Day 2023, P&G and its partners are sharing an inspiring video of what the power of partnership can do.

While these packets help meet a daily need, long-term solutions are the ideal goal. That’s why P&G and the Pamoja Project joined up with Waterboys, an initiative run by the Chris Long Foundation, whose mission is to unite a community of elite athletes and passionate fans to serve overlooked neighbors by creating solutions for clean water and education access. Together, we’ve built two solar-powered, deep borehole wells in East Africa which will provide clean drinking water for years to come and help communities grow.

“I believe that the quickest way to effect change in societies around the world is the implementation of clean water solutions,” said Chris Long, founder of the Chris Long Foundation and Waterboys, retired NFL player and two-time Superbowl champion. “Not only are less kids sick and dying, more kids are in school; less women are walking six miles to get water every day. But there’s also more community, and in turn, more hope.”

Through the Children's Safe Drinking Water Program, P&G has collaborated with more than 150 global advocacy and implementing partners to distribute P&G’s Purifier of Water packets to people that lack access to safe drinking water in over 90 countries. P&G has provided more than 20 billion liters of clean water to children and families since 2004 and continues toward its goal to deliver 25 billion liters of clean water by 2025.

“We are grateful for the collaboration of our partners and the collective commitment to create positive impact for children and families around the world,” said Marc Pritchard, Chief Brand Officer, P&G. “Through innovation and partnership, we are helping more people have clean drinking water.”

The Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program is part of P&G’s strategy to help build a water positive future that can sustain people and nature, now and for generations to come.

Click here to learn more about how you can help transform lives through the power of clean water.