November 10th, 2020 – SAN JOSE, CALIF. 

– Solvatten Charitable Foundation USA (SCFUSA) today announced that it has sent 350 Solvatten Solar Safe Water Systems to several refugee settlements and neighboring communities in Uganda. Thanks to the support of SCFUSA donors and Solvatten partners UNHCR and Plan International, families will now have access to safe and hot water – critically needed to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and waterborne illness.

“We are truly thankful to our generous donors and partners, such as Pauchon Foundation, for supporting us in this critical mission and allowing us to see our biggest project to date become a reality,” said Erica Krishnamurthy, chairperson of Solvatten Charitable Foundation USA.  “The combined efforts of our US and Swedish foundations will provide safe water to thousands of people in Uganda.”

SCFUSA works closely with Swedish social enterprise, Solvatten, founded by Petra Wadström.  Wadström invented the Solvatten Solar Safe Water System after travelling the world and finding that one in eight people live without access to clean water worldwide.  Her unique portable system purifies up to 40 liters of water per day by using nothing but solar energy.  Designed like a jerrycan which opens like a book, the Solvatten unit lasts up to seven years.  

“I believe that everyone has the right to clean, hot water,” said Petra Wadström, founder of Solvatten.  “We have managed to provide access to safe water to over 400,000 people to date, but there is still so much more work to be done.  Our hope is to turn those 400,000 ‘sunshine stories’ into one million.”  

“We are pleased that SCFUSA is helping to not only provide more people with safe water, but also helping to raise awareness of the water crisis and how people can help,” Wadström continued.

Solvatten’s Solar Safe Water Systems also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions since they cut down on the reliance of firewood and charcoal typically used to heat and treat dirty water.  One Solvatten unit reduces CO2 emissions by 1 ton per year and saves 6-8 trees per year.  In addition, women and children who are typically tasked with gathering firewood and water, are able to return to work and school thereby improving the household’s economy.

Based in San Jose, California, Solvatten Charitable Foundation USA is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization.  

Contact: 

Erica Krishnamurthy
erica@solvatten.org