Clean drinking water in Uganda

To prevent diseases and reduce carbon emissions from open wood fires, ceramic water filters are being distributed for this project in western Uganda. The filters are provided mainly to families living in extreme poverty, where clean drinking water is not a given.

Clean drinking water: A basic right or a luxury?

In Uganda many people get their drinking water from surface water – meaning rivers, lakes, and ponds. To prevent diseases, the water must be boiled. Not everyone can afford to do this, so the problem affects the disadvantaged. Cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases spread quickly due to contaminated water. Therefore, the people of Uganda need simple and affordable solutions for clean drinking water.

Clean water and long-term jobs for young people

This project distributes ceramic water filters to families in Uganda so that they no longer need to boil their drinking water over open wood fires. The filters are easy to use and distributed mainly in rural areas. The project works with local people who present and distribute the filters to the families. This gives young people in particular long-term job prospects.

Thanks to the water filters, women and children are less likely to be exposed to harmful smoke and to suffer from respiratory or diarrhoeal diseases. Income from the sale of verified emission reductions (VERs) means that the water filters can be offered to families free of charge.

Woman draws water from ceramic water filter

Carbon reduction

as wood burning is significantly reduced

Project impact

26,231 water filters distributed (by 29.03.2023)

Project location

Western Region, Uganda

Project standard

Gold Standard

The project's impact

Rose Kaikara

“I got a Purifaaya and it’s doing a good job for me. Its water is good and can prevent diseases. I used to suffer from typhoid and fever but now the infections have reduced.”

The project contributes to the following United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Good health and well-being

The water filters reduce waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, and typhoid. Women and children are less exposed to harmful smoke because they no longer burn firewood to boil water.

Gender equality

Thanks to the water filters, people collect less firewood and boil less water, making everyday life easier and saving valuable time, especially for women.

Clean water and sanitation

The water filters provide clean drinking water to households in Uganda.

Affordable and clean energy

The water filters save energy that was previously needed to boil water over open fires.

Decent work and economic growth

The project creates local jobs for the distribution of water filters, including their monitoring and evaluation.

Climate action

Thanks to the water filters, drinking water no longer needs to be boiled, which avoids carbon emissions.