Description
Project Name: Spouts Water Filter
Project Owner: SPOUTS
Standard: Gold Standard
Project ID: 11638
In Uganda, where 52% of the population lacks basic access to safe drinking water and over 40% of Sub-Saharan Africa faces similar challenges, SPOUTS is making a profound difference. By producing and distributing locally made ceramic water filters, SPOUTS is bringing clean, safe water to households, communities, and schools across Uganda. With a bold goal to reach 5 million Ugandans (14% of the population) by 2025, SPOUTS is turning the tide on waterborne diseases and building a healthier, more sustainable future.
Before SPOUTS, many Ugandans relied on boiling water using wood or charcoal on inefficient stoves, a practice that fueled deforestation and released harmful greenhouse gas emissions. SPOUTS’ ceramic filters eliminate the need for boiling, slashing the use of non-renewable biomass and reducing environmental impact.
For households, access to filtered water means fewer sick days, lower medical costs, and more opportunities to thrive. By prioritizing local production, SPOUTS creates jobs and strengthens Uganda’s economy, empowering communities to take charge of their health and future.
Inspired by a trip in Uganda in 2010, founder Kathy Ku, then a college student, witnessed the devastating impact of dirty water on communities. Driven by a belief that preventable diseases could be stopped, she launched SPOUTS in 2011 with a simple yet powerful idea: locally made ceramic filters could deliver safe water affordably and sustainably.
Impact
Waterborne illnesses remain a leading cause of death for children under the age of five.
Thanks to the SPOUTS filter, households have access to clean water more easily.
Acquiring drinking water is an expensive investment across Uganda, whether boiling water or purchasing costly bottled water.
For less than $30, a filter will provide a Ugandan family safe water for over two years.
Clearing forests to provide firewood to boil water contributes to deforestation, increases CO2 emissions and smoke inhalation in homes.
With this water filtration system, no more wood is used to access clean water.
SPOUTS is using the local workforce
The project is hiring 20 people for manufacturing, dissemination and maintenance of the filters.
CSR Action
In Uganda many schools lack the money and resources to provide students with access to safe water during the school day. Through our Filters for Schools Program, SPOUTS Impact has installed filters in over 80 schools throughout Uganda, providing over 32,000 students with safe water.
Uganda is one of the largest refugee hosting countries in the world. SPOUTS have installed over 7,000 filters in refugee settlements, both at the household and institutional level.
SPOUTS coordinate with local health, religious, and political leaders to introduce the filter and show the community the process for treating their water. Filters are installed in households, schools, health centers and places of worship.
