Our Approach

Let’s change the World.
One drop at a time.

How it Works

Our main goal is to improve and facilitate access to water for populations in need at a global level. What Water presents a vertically integrated model for impact, managing to raise funds as well as manage water access projects on the ground. The model aims to limit the number of intermediaries, manage costs effectively and maximise
their impact.

What Water’s Growth Journey: Key Milestones

Expanding Our Network of Partner Municipalities

  • Now connecting with 370 municipalities and cities across Cameroon. Framework Agreement: We secured a
    comprehensive partnership with UCCC.

Diversifying Our Solution Offerings  

  • Innovation: Evolved from digging wells to digitalizing Water Towers, enhancing efficiency and impact.

Growing Our Global Team 

  • International Presence: Expanded our team to include members from 8 countries across Europe, Africa, and North America.

Broadening Our Fundraising Strategies

  • Strategic Partnerships: Progressed from art sales and corporate sponsorships to securing institutional support.
  • Major Milestone: Signed an MOU with FEICOM to bolster financial sustainability.

 Inspections and selection of projects

All municipalities in target countries can apply to partner with "What Water".

A needs assessment is conducted via a project submission questionnaire, field inspections, and local community engagement.

Projects are prioritized based on their impact and urgency.

For new projects with existing partner municipalities, a mandatory review of past projects and community satisfaction is required.

Sustainable empowerment of local communities

An equitable, committed, and responsible partnership ensuring sustainable collaboration. What Water seeks funding equivalent to 50% of the water point's cost from local partner municipalities.

"What Water" follows a strict protocol to ensure sustainable impact, starting with the analysis and validation of project specifications and quotations

Building works and user training in sanitation and maintenance are completed within four weeks of receiving funds, ensuring timely implementation.

Compliance is confirmed through final project specifications, completion, and final payment, with a focus on user training to guarantee future independence and self-regulation within the community.

Bringing sustainable solutions

WE BUILD WATER ACCESS

The Borehole

Characteristics: Depth of 50 to 100 meters. Average users of 250-500. Better fit for rural and low density areas.

The Water Tower

Characteristics: Depth of 50 to 100 meters. Average users of 1000-2000. Better fit for urban and peri-urban areas.

Why Digitalization ?

Innovation in Service of Municipalities

  • Easier access to clean drinking water for all citizens
  • Transparent and equitable management of water resources

Excellence in Municipal Management

  • Real-time infrastructure monitoring through sensors
  • Significant reduction in water loss and cost optimization

Benefits for Residents

  • Personalized consumption tracking for each household
  • Continuous notifications and updates on water availability

Environmental and Social Commitment

  • Responsible water usage encouraged through technology
  • Energy independence with solar options

Projects in Cameroon

Ensuring the sustainability of its activities in the field, What Water is among the few nonprofit organizations to have received the Order from the Ministry of Territorial Administration of Cameroon, granting authorization to operate throughout the
Cameroonian territory for a renewable period of 3 years, in accordance with its mission.

The Borehole

8000€ average cost.
150-200 users.

Characteristics: Depth of 50 to 100 meters, low risk of drying up, high-quality water, risk of soil obstruction during drilling, and complexity of maintenance in the event of a major breakdown.

The Water
Tower

12 000€ average cost.
1000-2000 users.

Characteristics: Depth of 50 to 100 meters, low risk of drying up, high-quality water, storage system, less effort for the user, potential for the
establishment of a distribution network, dependence on solar energy,
complexity of maintenance in the event of a major breakdown.

digitization of infrastructure

14 000€ average cost.
Urban area, high population density.

Easy access to clean water, transparent management of contributions,
real-time information, optimization of water resource management,
improvement in maintenance and monitoring.

Our Projects

Ensuring sustainability of its activities on the ground, What Water was granted an official authorization by the Ministry of Territorial Administration of Cameroon, to operate throughout the Cameroonian territory for a
renewable period of 3 years, in accordance with its mission.

Legend:

9 water structures built

4 in Foumban, 2 in Dzeng, 2 in Bangante, 1 in Mengueme.

Partner municipalities

West Region: Njimom, Massangam, Foumbot, Malantouen, Koutaba, Bana. East Region: Bertoua, Mandjou, Mouloundou, Doume, Angossas. Adamawa Region: potential of 21 municipalities. Centre: Bafia, Mbanganssina, Kin-Yambetta, Guibansal, Afaloum, Ngoumou. Littoral: Mbanga, Kribi.

10 projects identified and planned for 2025 (water towers, wells, and digitization)

260 000 people with access to What Water projects

It is considered that all residents of beneficiary municipalities have access to What Water projects. Daily users estimate of 10 000 inhabitants.

Ensuring the sustainability of its activities in the field, What Water is among the few nonprofit organizations to have received the Order from the Ministry of Territorial Administration of Cameroon, granting authorization to operate throughout the
Cameroonian territory for a renewable period of 3 years, in accordance with its mission.