The selection, installation and promotion of appropriate and sustainable technology is a critical component of any WASH system.

We always look for technology that’s easy to transport, even to the world’s most remote communities. It has to be simple to maintain and made from materials that are readily available in local markets, along with any spare parts.

Our technical solutions won’t involve complex maintenance or expensive components or chemicals. And with the training we provide, they’ll be easy for communities to use and maintain, long after our partners have completed their work.

Climate Change and Technology

As our climate changes, life is becoming even harder for people who already struggle to get clean water. Weather is becoming more extreme; more frequent and extreme flooding is polluting fragile water sources; and longer droughts are drying up springs. People need a reliable supply of water that keeps pumping through flood, drought, and natural disaster. That’s where technology, tools and training comes in.

Our best defense against the effects of climate change that cause water uncertainty is to use robust systems, and to work with local communities to ensure they have the tools and training to maintain them.

This page presents a selection of some of the technologies that WaterAid and its partners use to meet the needs of the communities where we work, and to make them resilient to our changing climate. Watch our technology series below to see how we're working with communities to build reliable and sustainable solutions.

Borehole drilling

Much of our water is found in the ground, beneath the Earth's surface in the soil. But ground water is not available everywhere. When water is deep below the ground or where there is hard rock to drill through, we use boreholes. A borehole can reach down to 100 metres or more. Once water is found, pipes are installed, allowing water to be pumped by hand or fed up into large tanks. Find out more in the video:

Gravity fed water systems

We tend to use this system in hilly, rural areas where people usually have to carry water over steep terrain. Water is found from a high point, often a natural spring. A reservoir tank is built to hold the water and pipes carry the water downhill to the community. Using the natural force of gravity removes the need for expensive electrical pumps, making this a cost-effective innovation. We often engage the entire community to help protect the pipes, as seen in the video:

Water kiosks

Water kiosks are often installed in the heart of the community, run by attendants to provide a convenient and accessible source of clean water. The kiosks sometimes also sell items such as soap and washing powder. See them in action:

Tippy taps

Our most low tech and low cost water solution is a tippy tap. We encourage the use of these where more advanced systems are not yet in place. Easy to build with everyday objects including sticks, bottles, string and wood, these enable people to wash their hands and help stop the spread of disease. Watch how to make a tippy tap:

Water ATMS

Much like an ATM that dispenses cash, a water ATM enables communities to use a prepaid card to dispense clean water. Water ATMs are automated versions of water kiosks, which don't require attendants. This technology provides a sustainable source of clean water 24 hours a day:

Solar pumps

Using panels that transform sunlight into electricity, we can harness this natural and renewable energy to power electrical pumps to extract water from deep in the ground. Solar pumps have low running costs and are great for the environment:

Baguma Robert, handpump mechanic, uninstalling a handpump to remove the UPVC pipe to see how they have behaved after a year in use, Rukwondwa Primary School, Masindi District, Uganda, November 2020.

Water supply technologies

To improve people’s water security, we use a combination of different approaches, including constructing water supply systems, to bring clean, reliable water supplies closer to people’s homes.

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55 years old Kena Mondol lives with his wife and children in Munda Community. Kena Mondol said, "During the disaster, we usually take shelter in other people's houses which are well-built or brick made. After such devastating disasters, our houses got destroyed. We found no trace of hanging toilets once we return to our homes. This will not happen now. At least we can use a better toilet even the time of disasters". Kaligonj, Satkhira, Bangladesh

Sanitation technologies

We use the most appropriate, affordable, and sustainable sanitation solutions. There are different ways to develop and implement a sanitation program, and elements of each approach can be combined to suit a particular context.

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WaterAid/ Chileshe Chanda

Hygiene technologies

We have experience designing and delivering context-specific, innovative handwashing facilities across a variety of places, including healthcare facilities and schools, and public places such as markets and bus stops.

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Download our technical briefs

Contact our technical enquiry service

Got a question about the technology we use? Want to tell us about a new water, sanitation, or hygiene product you’ve developed?

Our technical enquiry service is run by engineering specialists and is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Just email [email protected] and they’ll be in touch as soon as possible.