irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2020
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $893KINDIASAFE WATER NETWORK'S (SWN'S) SAFE WATER INITIATIVE IN INDIA WORKS WITH SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS TO ESTABLISH DECENTRALIZED SMALL WATER ENTERPRISES (SWES) THAT SELL SAFE DRINKING WATER TO UNDERSERVED CONSUMERS FOR AFFORDABLE PRICES. ITS IJAL MODEL, WITH ITS FOCUS ON FINANCIAL VIABILITY AS A FUNDAMENTAL REQUIREMENT FOR OPERATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY, COVERS LOCAL OPERATING COSTS THROUGH REVENUES FROM THE WATER SALES. TO DATE, SWN HAS IMPLEMENTED 329 SWES IN INDIA, PROVIDING SAFE WATER ACCESS TO 1.2M+ LOW-INCOME PEOPLE RESIDING IN DRINKING WATER QUALITY-AFFECTED HABITATIONS (VILLAGES).
- #2 $615KGLOBALSINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 2006, SAFE WATER NETWORK HAS WORKED TO APPLY AN ENTERPRISE APPROACH TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE WATER SERVICES FOR THESE LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES. OUR PORTFOLIO OF 450 SMALL WATER ENTERPRISES (SWES) IN GHANA AND INDIA PROVIDE ACCESS TO SAFE WATER FOR OVER 1.6 MILLION PEOPLE, AND IN A SECTOR WITH OVER 30% FAILURE RATE, 95% OF OUR SWES LAUNCHED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMUNITIES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS ARE STILL IN OPERATION.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Automatic Chlorination and Online Monitoring (ACOM)
System in India that ensures consistent water quality through automated chlorination and real-time monitoring at water stations
Beyond the Pipe Forums
Annual convenings in Ghana and India that bring together stakeholders to share knowledge and advance sustainable water solutions
SEWAH Alliance
India-based alliance led by Safe Water Network to support water professionals, share best practices, and strengthen sector capacity
SWE Alliance (Ghana)
National alliance in Ghana where Safe Water Network serves as Secretariat, promoting innovation, joint procurement, and policy engagement among water organizations
Safe Water Enterprises (SWEs)
Locally managed water stations in Ghana and India that sell safe drinking water at affordable prices, designed for financial and operational sustainability
iJal Model
Small Water Enterprises in India that use a financially viable model to provide safe water access to low-income populations through community-based stations
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Clean Water Infrastructure and Access 4 activities
- Advocacy and policy engagement for national water reformAdvocates for investment-ready Safe Water Enterprises and sustainable water services at scale through forums like Beyond the Pipe. Advised national governments in Ghana and India on water policy, influencing $90 billion in public investment for rural piped water access in India and providing recommendations to achieve universal tap water coverage.
- Conducting research to inform water access strategiesConducts market mapping, health impact assessments, and reviews of small water enterprise potential to guide programming and policy. Examples include a market assessment in Ghana’s Ahafo Region, a health impact study of iJal stations in Telangana, and a joint review with the International Finance Corporation on Kenya’s market potential.
- Operating decentralized safe water stations in Ghana and IndiaOperates a network of over 450 decentralized safe water stations (including Water ATMs, iJal stations, and ACOM systems) across Ghana and India, providing 24/7 access to safe drinking water for more than 2 million people in over 600 communities. These systems serve schools, households, health clinics, and businesses, with 95% operational uptime and long-term sustainability demonstrated by stations operating for over ten years.
- School-based WASH programs in IndiaProvides clean drinking water, sanitation infrastructure, and hygiene education in government schools across Noida, Telangana, Haryana, and Hyderabad. Installed two water treatment units per school (each producing 200 liters/hour), built functional toilets and dining facilities, and conducts hygiene education on handwashing and safe water practices. Water ATMs in 49 schools benefit approximately 20,760 students and staff annually.
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Women's Microenterprise and Livelihood Development 1 activity
- Women’s empowerment through safe water enterprisesImplements the SEWAH program and iJal Women’s Empowerment Program in India, enabling women to transition from traditional water-carrying roles to owning and operating local safe water stations. This initiative supports gender equity and economic livelihoods through public-private partnerships, including with USAID.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Providing technical assistance to strengthen water sector capacityStrengthens water sector stakeholders through technical assistance, training, and knowledge sharing. Trained nearly 500 individuals in water quality testing and management in 2024, employs 70 field support staff, and engages over 1,700 individuals including operators and entrepreneurs. Shares tools and proven practices to improve performance of water systems serving millions.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$9.06M
Contributions & grants$8.37M92%
Program service revenue$633K7%
Investment income$56K1%
Other revenue$252
expenses
Total expenses$6.09M
Program expenses86%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$2.32M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$16.32M
Cash$5.34M
Investments$0
Liabilities$2.99M
Net assets$13.33M
Liquid reserves10.5 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +73.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 6
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTOPHER W WILLIAMS PHD | CEO, SECRETARY & TREASURER | 35 | $330K |
| RAVINDRA SEWAK | INDIA COUNTRY DIRECTOR | 40 | $248K |
| CHARLES B NIMAKO | GHANA COUNTRY DIRECTOR | 35 | $206K |
| FLAVIA DANESE | OUGOING DIRECTOR OF US FINANCE & OPS | 35 | $174K |
| KURT SODERLUND | FORMER CEO | 0 | $166K |
| PARMILA PHILLIPS | HEAD OF GLOBAL FINANCE & OPERATIONS | 35 | $87K |
board members · 7
- CHRISTINA GOLD — BOARD MEMBER
- JOSH WESTON — BOARD MEMBER
- RICHARD DELANEY — CHAIR, GOVERNANCE
- RITA COLWELL PHD — VICE CHAIR
- STEVE ZIDE — CHAIRMAN
- SURYA N MOHAPATRA PHD — BOARD MEMBER
- VIVEK SANKARAN — CHAIR, FINANCE
relationships · 23
Who they work with
- Aqua for All Funder — Provides funding through the Making Water Count programme for eligible water and sanitation SMEs, including in Ghana.
- Communities Partner — Co-launches small water enterprises in partnership with local communities.
- DuPont India Partner — Collaborates with Safe Water Network on installing water purification systems and sanitation infrastructure in schools in India.
- Government of Karnataka Government — Received technical assistance from Safe Water Network to improve performance of water purification systems.
- International Finance Corporation Partner — Conducted a joint review of the market potential for small water enterprises in Kenya.
- Local governments Partner — Partners with local governments to launch small water enterprises in underserved communities.
- MSD Fellows Partner — Collaborated on a health impact assessment of iJal water stations in Telangana.
- Michael Kors Partner — Partnered to host an event where 10% of profits were donated to Safe Water Network.
- Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation, India Government — Received policy recommendations from Safe Water Network on achieving universal household tap water access.
- Pentair Foundation Partner — Longstanding partner supporting installation of Water ATMs, iJal stations, and ACOM systems for safe drinking water access in India.
- SEWAH Alliance Partner — Safe Water Network India acts as secretariat for the SEWAH Alliance, facilitating collaboration among members to share best practices and strengthen water sector capabilities.
- SWE Alliance Partner — Collaborates with the SWE Alliance in Ghana to support water professionals and improve sector coordination.
- Safe Water Network India Advisory Group Partner — Provides strategic guidance on scaling safe water enterprises, with members like Sanjeev Chadha highlighting lessons from Ghana for global application.
- Shining Hope for Communities (Shofco) Partner — Collaborated to implement a community water system in Kibera, Kenya.
- Social entrepreneurs Partner — Collaborates with social entrepreneurs to establish and operate small water enterprises in India.
- UN Global Water Operators Partnership Alliance Coalition — Participates in the UN Global Water Operators Partnership Alliance to promote global collaboration in water service delivery.
- USAID Partner — Partnered on the Sustainable Enterprises for Water and Health (SEWAH) project in urban India.
- Underwriters Laboratories Partner — Co-developed water quality control measures in India.
- Water Research Institute Partner — Co-developed water quality control measures in Ghana.
- WaterAid Ghana Partner — Collaborates on policy, strategy, and campaigns related to safe water access.
- governments Partner — Collaborates with governments to improve performance and scale safe water solutions.
- public and private partners Partner — Collaborates with public and private partners to implement, scale, and advocate for community-based water solutions.
- sector peers Partner — Works with sector peers across the water ecosystem to share insights and accelerate scalable solutions.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Decentralized Community-Based Enterprise Modelmethodology: decentralized_community-based_modelBy deploying decentralized, community-led water enterprises (e.g., Safe Water Enterprises or Water ATMs), we ensure continuous, resilient access to safe water because local ownership increases operational resilience, reduces plastic waste, and sustains service through climate or pandemic disruptions. Financial viability is achieved through user fees, enabling long-term sustainability.
- Integrated Systems Strengthening Through Multi-Channel Leveragemethodology: integrated_approachBy combining direct field operations with policy engagement, technical assistance, and knowledge-sharing, we scale sustainable water solutions because this integrated approach strengthens local systems, aligns stakeholders, and creates investable ecosystems that attract capital and enable replication.
- Locally Led, Inclusive Design for Sustainabilitymethodology: inclusionBy centering community leadership and local institutions in the design and management of water solutions, we achieve lasting impact because inclusive, locally owned models foster accountability, adaptability, and cultural alignment, increasing adoption and resilience.
- Technology-Enabled Innovation with Adaptive Learningmethodology: adaptive_learningBy applying innovative technologies and data-driven monitoring to water safety and delivery, we improve outcomes over time because real-time learning enables iterative refinement of operations, ensures quality, and supports transition from pilot to investment-ready scale.