Empowering Communities with Clean Water

In honor of International Water Day, we are spotlighting Solvatten, an innovative social enterprise that harnesses the power of sunlight to transform lives by providing clean, safe water. By combining UV and thermal treatment, Solvatten’s technology effectively kills pathogens and viruses in water, addressing critical health issues while promoting environmental conservation. Each unit is small and portable, making it practical in even the most remote communities.

Since 2017, Aritco has partnered with Solvatten to help provide water purification units to communities in need. Rick Middel, HR Director at Aritco, shares insights into how this partnership is not just about quenching thirst but about nurturing opportunities.

“Firstly, clean water should be a fundamental right for everyone. In Sweden, we’re really lucky. Clean water is just a faucet turn away for us, but that’s a luxury many don’t have. Our support for Solvatten aligns not just with the immediate need for clean water but also with Aritco’s broader vision of creating opportunities for everyone. Aritco aims to open up new possibilities for individuals by improving accessibility within homes and public buildings. And beyond meeting basic needs, Solvatten water units also unlock additional opportunities for families.”

“In many communities that Solvatten works with, the task of gathering water falls on the women and children. They can spend hours a day getting water. By having access to water treatment technology at home, kids don’t have to skip school to find clean water. This means they can get an education, dream bigger, and aim higher. Women have the chance to engage in entrepreneurial activities, boosting not just their families’ economic conditions but their communities as well. It’s about creating a cycle of empowerment and sustainability. That’s the real power that clean water can provide.”

“We are extremely proud to have an owner who is very supportive and encourages our initiatives. Whenever Aritco makes a donation, our owner has committed to match it, doubling our contribution to Solvatten. So far, we donated the equivalent of 671 Solvatten units. Each one generally serves a family of up to eight with people.

“We were recently able to send two of our employees, Josefin and Sarah, to Uganda to witness firsthand the impact that Solvatten has on local communities. This experience was invaluable. We can discuss and show presentations, but being there offers a completely different perspective and tells a much more compelling story. It was important to us that our employees engage directly and share their experiences with the rest of the team.

“Also, for the last couple of years, we have made donations to Solvatten in lieu of “traditional” holiday gifts. And we’ve asked our partners to donate instead of sending us gifts as well. This approach not only benefits Solvatten but also encourages our entire value chain to participate. We’ve seen positive responses, such as two of our partners in Indonesia making donations, which is really fantastic.”

“Definitely. This is not just a one-off thing, this is a part of our long-term strategy. Our vision is to open up opportunities for everyone, and this is what Solvatten does. When kids can go to school, and just be kids. When women can have increased economic possibilities. When there are less people sick, struggling to buy wood to heat water or pay for medical bills, they can begin to build better futures. These are the opportunities that clean water can provide. And we are proud to help Solvatten bring these opportunities to communities around the world.”

• As of 2023, 2 billion people (26% of the population) do not have safe drinking water (UNESCO)
• Women and girls are responsible for fetching water in 7 out of 10 households without supplies on premises (World Health Organization)
• 4 million lives are lost each year due to inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene (World Health Organization)
• Every 2 minutes, a child dies from a water-related disease.(World Health Organization)
• Worldwide, women and girls spend 200 million hours a day collecting water. (UNICEF)

Learn more about Solvatten and how you can help their mission: www.solvatten.org