Better Water Information

In the vast landscape of global water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions, one critical gap often goes overlooked: the urban slum. While rural water projects receive substantial attention, millions of children in densely packed, unplanned urban settlements face a daily crisis of contaminated water and inadequate sanitation. Splash steps directly into this void, offering a targeted, institutional-scale solution that prioritizes schools as hubs of change. Rather than drilling wells in remote villages, Splash installs advanced water filtration systems and handwashing stations in urban schools and orphanages, aiming to break the cycle of diarrheal disease and absenteeism that plagues children in poverty-stricken city districts.

Technology & Methodology

Splash’s approach is built on a simple, yet robust, technological foundation designed for high-traffic institutional settings. The core intervention is the installation of point-of-use water filtration systems—typically using ultrafiltration or activated carbon technology—directly in school kitchens and drinking areas. These systems are engineered to remove 99.999% of bacteria, protozoa, and viruses from local municipal or borehole water supplies, which are often re-contaminated during storage or distribution within the slum.

Complementing the water filter is a hygiene behavior change package centered on the placement of durable, child-friendly handwashing stations. These stations are strategically located near latrines and food distribution points. Splash does not simply drop hardware; it trains school staff on maintenance, provides a consistent supply of soap, and integrates hygiene education into the school curriculum. The methodology relies on an institutional delivery model—targeting schools as the most efficient vector for reaching children at scale. By focusing on urban areas, Splash leverages existing infrastructure (such as piped water connections) while solving the critical problem of water quality and hygiene practice.

Cost-Effectiveness & Sustainability Analysis

Splash presents a compelling cost profile that places it in the mid-tier of WASH interventions, but with a high potential for social return. The cost per person is $10, which covers the installation of the filtration system, handwashing stations, and initial training. The expected lifespan of the hardware is 5 years, translating to an annualized cost of just $2 per beneficiary per year.

However, this figure requires careful unpacking. The $10 cost is highly efficient for an urban setting because it leverages existing water supply points and serves a dense population (often hundreds of children per school). Compared to rural boreholes, which can cost $30–$50 per person and serve fewer people per site, Splash’s model is exceptionally lean.

The primary sustainability challenge is ongoing maintenance and consumables. The filtration cartridges must be replaced periodically, and handwashing stations require a constant supply of soap and water. Splash addresses this by training a designated school “WASH committee” (often including teachers and parent volunteers) and establishing a supply chain for replacement parts. Without this continuous support, the systems can fall into disrepair. The project’s B rank reflects this vulnerability: the initial installation is cost-effective and high-impact, but long-term success hinges on consistent local management and funding for consumables.

Regional Impact: Sub-Saharan Africa & South Asia

Splash operates across eight countries that represent some of the most challenging urban WASH environments on Earth. In Sub-Saharan Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana), rapid urbanization has outpaced infrastructure development. In cities like Nairobi and Addis Ababa, slum schools often lack any functional water treatment. Splash’s interventions here directly reduce the incidence of typhoid and cholera outbreaks among school-aged children.

In South Asia (India, Bangladesh, Nepal), the challenges differ. While water quantity may be more available, contamination from arsenic and fecal coliforms is rampant. Splash’s filtration systems are critical in Bangladesh, where shallow aquifers are often poisoned with arsenic. In India, the focus on handwashing with soap has proven vital in reducing respiratory infections and COVID-19 transmission in crowded classrooms.

The urban focus is a strategic differentiator. By concentrating on schools in slums, Splash reaches children who are often missed by both rural WASH programs and municipal water utilities. The impact is measurable: reduced school absenteeism, improved cognitive function, and lower healthcare costs for families already living on the edge of poverty.

WASH Expert Assessment

From a professional standpoint, Splash deserves a B rank for its focused, evidence-based approach. The strengths are clear: a highly cost-effective per-person price ($10), a sustainable lifespan of 5 years, and a delivery model that leverages existing urban infrastructure to maximize reach. The focus on schools creates a multiplier effect, as children carry hygiene habits home to their families.

The weaknesses are equally clear. The model is not “set and forget.” It requires a robust supply chain for filters and soap, and its success is deeply tied to the administrative capacity of the host school. In fragile urban contexts where school management is weak, systems can fail within months. Additionally, Splash does not address the lack of piped water itself—it only treats what is available.

For donors and governments seeking a high-impact, urban-specific intervention that targets children’s health at scale, Splash represents a smart investment. The key to maximizing its return lies in pairing the $10 installation cost with a dedicated budget for ongoing consumables and monitoring. When that support is in place, Splash delivers one of the most efficient and life-changing WASH solutions for urban children in the developing world.