Solutions Supported by Danone Communities

A Global Public Health Challenge 

Today, more than 4.4 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water (source). This lack of access leads to numerous diseases and contributes to malnutrition, anemia, and stunted growth in children. Each year, more than 1.4 million deaths are linked to the absence of safe water, failing sanitation systems, and poor hygiene. Children, especially in rural areas of Africa and Southeast Asia, are the most affected. 

Innovative Models to Meet Local Needs 

Danone Communities supports social businesses that develop decentralized solutions tailored to local contexts. These solutions rely on various sources (surface water, groundwater) and treatment technologies adapted to local contaminants. 

Types of Supported Solutions: 

  • Water kiosks: Local mini-plants that extract, purify, and distribute water in bulk or in reusable containers. 
  • Water filters: Simple, durable equipment (3 to 5 years), designed for family use. 
  • Community models: Purification units installed in schools, enabling children to stay hydrated easily. 
  • Maintenance services: Rehabilitation of rural water networks and water quality control. 

These models ensure quality water is accessible to vulnerable populations at an affordable cost, with pricing that does not exceed 3% of household income, in line with UN recommendations. 

Sustainable Economic Models 

“Safe Drinking Water Enterprises (SDWEs) are businesses aiming to guarantee sustainable access to quality drinking water at an affordable price. Led by committed entrepreneurs, they rely on sustainable business models, based on market needs and focused on water sales.” 

  • Generation of transactional income, complemented by additional revenue (hybrid models, public-private partnerships, carbon finance, etc.). 
  • Community engagement to encourage adoption of solutions. 
  • Innovative payment solutions to make acquiring durable equipment easier. 
  • Last-mile distribution models to reach the most remote areas. 

To learn more, we invite you to explore the studies conducted with our partners: 

A Major Impact on Health 

Access to quality drinking water is one of the most effective means of improving public health. It helps reduce waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, or parasitic infections, which are among the leading causes of child mortality in developing countries. 

By providing safe water, the solutions supported by Danone Communities help to: 

  • Reduce hospitalizations and healthcare costs for vulnerable families; 
  • Prevent malnutrition, anemia and growth delays linked to chronic infections; 

The impact goes beyond physical health: in schools, access to drinking water allows children to stay better hydrated, which improves their concentration, cognitive abilities and school attendance. It also reduces their consumption of sugary drinks, helping prevent obesity and diabetes. 

While access to safe drinking water is a public health issue and a driver of human development, it is also a powerful catalyst for economic and social growth. It improves household income, for example, because women gain several hours per day by spending less time fetching water. This allows them to reinvest that time in income-generating activities or children’s education. Additionally, the drop in waterborne diseases directly boosts productivity at work. 

A Collective Commitment to Accelerate Impact 

Danone Communities is also committed to sharing its learnings with the entire sector: hosting workshops for entrepreneurs, participating in international events, publishing reports, and more. 

With more than 15 years of experience in water access, Danone and the impact asset manager Incofin launched the “Water Access Acceleration Fund (W2AF)” in 2023, bringing together public and private partners. As the first blended finance impact fund dedicated to safe drinking water, its goal is to attract greater investment to a sector that remains significantly underfunded, by supporting established companies with strong potential for growth. 

In 2024, social enterprises supported by Danone Communities and the W2AF enabled more than 20.8 million people worldwide to have daily access to quality drinking water.