What Gravity Water does

Gravity Water is a 501(c)(3) U.S. nonprofit organization, headquartered in Santa Cruz, California (FEIN: 81-1802377), that designs, installs, and operates integrated rainwater harvesting and water treatment systems for schools in climate-vulnerable regions of Asia-Pacific. Registered local entities include Gravity Water Nepal (community-based NGO No. 1064) and Gravity Water Vietnam (international NGO No. 508/CNV-HD), with active programs across Vietnam, Nepal, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Founded in 2016 by Danny Wright and Co-Founder Jane Nguyen, the organization reports cumulative impact of 485,000+ people provided safe drinking water, 88.1M+ liters of water conserved, and 675+ communities served, with a stated moonshot of reaching 10 million people by 2030.

The core product, RainBox, combines rooftop rainwater collection, a First Flush diversion tank, and a three-tier filtration architecture — two 5-micron activated carbon block filters followed by a 0.1-micron absolute hollow-membrane filter rated to remove 99.99999% of bacteria and meet U.S. EPA private-consumptive-use standards. The system is gravity-fed and intentionally low-technology, requiring no consistent electricity, and is augmented by automated source-switching valves, strategic water-flow meters, and QR-coded monthly school surveys managed through a data partnership with SOPACT. Each RainBox can deliver over 1,000 liters of treated water per day, meeting more than 50% of a typical school's annual water demand while reducing water loss by ~15%. Adjacent products include the First Flush Tank Design (Oct 2024), the Zero-Waste Water Treatment System upgrade (Jan 2025), and the Climate & Environmental Education and Youth Initiative (GWYI) programs.

Revenue is generated across four streams: individual and foundation donations (tiered from $8/month sponsorships up to $4,000 full system builds), corporate water-stewardship partnerships (Microsoft, Apple, Carbon Impact Capital, World Centric), government and multilateral grants (UNICEF, Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, multiple provincial People's Committees, Malaysian Ministry of Education), and system sales to implementing NGO partners (ASSIST Asia, Norwegian Mission Alliance, Happy Hearts Indonesia, Christina Noble Children's Foundation, Concise Impact Nepal). Distribution combines Gravity Water's own field teams in Nepal and Vietnam with local implementation partners — Water Watch Penang in Malaysia, Environmental Ethics Foundation of Taiwan (EEFT) and Qunsheng Plumbing (群昇) in Taiwan — and donor/field-visit events that convert into new municipal and corporate engagements.

Name

Gravity Water

Legal name

Gravity Water

Website

https://gravitywater.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Gravity Water is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that designs, installs, and operates low-technology, gravity-fed rainwater harvesting and filtration (RainBox) systems for schools in climate-vulnerable regions across Vietnam, Nepal, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clean Water Infrastructure for Schools

NAICS

Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction (237110)

SIC

Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623)

akta.pro primary industry

Stormwater & Drainage Infrastructure Construction (Sewer, Detention, Outfalls) (IMAFAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gutters, Downspouts & Rainwater Systems (IMADAFAM), Water Softener, Filtration & Treatment System Installation (HSAOAAAH)

Keywords

• Rainwater harvesting systems
• Clean water infrastructure
• Water filtration solutions
• Nonprofit climate technology
• Climate resilience education

Headquarters

HQ city

Kathmandu

HQ country

Nepal

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Gravity Water is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies primarily on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization offers tiered giving options from $8/month subscriptions to $4,000 one-time system builds.
2. Corporate Water Stewardship Partnerships: Partnerships with corporations like Microsoft, Apple, Carbon Impact Capital, and others through corporate water stewardship programs. Companies fund system installations as part of their sustainability and water stewardship goals.
3. Government Grants and Collaborations: Collaborations with government bodies including UNICEF, Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nepal municipalities, and others who fund or co-fund system installations.
4. System Sales through Partners: Sale of RainBox systems and Cloudwell technology through implementation partners like ASSIST Asia, Norwegian Mission Alliance, and Happy Hearts Indonesia who procure systems for their own programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Gravity Water designs, manufactures, and deploys RainBox rainwater harvesting systems with three-tier filtration for schools and public infrastructure in climate-vulnerable Asia-Pacific regions. The systems use gravity-fed, low-technology approaches — combining rainwater collection, activated carbon and hollow-membrane filtration, and automated source switching — to provide more than 1,000 liters of safe drinking water per day without requiring consistent electricity. Complementing the hardware, the organization delivers site assessments, installation, training, remote monitoring, and climate/WASH education programs.

Product overview

Gravity Water offers an integrated rainwater harvesting and water treatment solution centered around its RainBox system, a comprehensive hardware product that combines rainwater harvesting, three-tier filtration, automated water management tools, and collaborative data collection. The core RainBox system provides schools with over 1,000 liters per day of treated drinking water through a low-technology approach using gravity-fed filtration (two 5-micron activated carbon block filters plus 0.1-micron hollow-membrane filter). Supporting products include the First Flush Tank System for improved water quality and the Zero-Waste Water Treatment System for upgraded filtration. The company also offers Climate & Environmental Education programs and the Youth Initiative Program (GWYI) for community engagement. Water management is enhanced through automated controls, valve systems, and water mapping tools that reduce water loss by approximately 15%. Remote monitoring uses QR Code-based monthly surveys and flow meters for data collection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RainBox: Gravity Water's rainwater harvesting system product that harnesses rainfall and uses energy-efficient filtration and treatment technologies to provide schools with reliable sources of safe water.
• Saigon Watershed Project
• Cloudwell

Products and services

• RainBox System Compact, locally fabricable rainwater harvesting and filtration system that harnesses rainfall and uses energy-efficient filtration and treatment (including pre-filtration via two 5-micron activated carbon block filters and a 0.1-micron absolute hollow-membrane water filter) to provide more than 1,000 liters per day of safe drinking water per school, without requiring consistent electricity and while reducing plastic bottle waste.
• Zero-Waste Water Treatment System Upgraded water treatment system designed to minimize waste while effectively removing contaminants and reducing waterborne diseases; integrates efficient filtration with rainwater harvesting to reduce dependence on external water sources and minimize plastic waste from bottled water at schools.
• First Flush Tank System Innovative first flush tank design that separates initial rainfall runoff (which may contain contaminants from rooftops) from cleaner subsequent rainfall, improving overall water quality before storage and filtration in RainBox deployments.
• Climate & Environmental Education Program Education and training program that empowers school communities with knowledge on water conservation, climate resilience, and WASH practices through hands-on curricula and operations/maintenance training; it accompanies every RainBox installation to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Youth Initiative Program (GWYI) Gravity Water Youth Initiative (GWYI) connects K-12 students in the United States with global water access efforts by enabling educational fundraising campaigns that fund construction of Gravity Water systems at 'sister schools' in Vietnam, Nepal, and other operational countries.

Quantifiable outcome

• 485,000+ people provided safe drinking water
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ASSIST AsiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2025New partnership launched June 2025. ASSIST identified 20 schools for water assessments with goal of procuring at least 10 new systems from Cloudwell for safe drinking water access.
• Happy Hearts Indonesia (HHI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Collaboration in West Java, Indonesia for clean water access. First locally fabricated RainBox systems in production with planned installation of 10 units and mobilization of installation teams.
• Dien Bien Provincial People's CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 December 2024Official approval of Dien Bien Initiative 2024-2025. UNICEF-Gravity Water collaboration benefiting 50 schools and 10 household clusters with 11,000+ beneficiaries.
• Norwegian Mission Alliance (NMA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 December 2024Joint site assessment conducted August 2024. NMA funding 3 systems with matching fund requested for 2 additional schools in Tra Vinh province for 2025 implementation.
• MicrosoftcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting water stewardship and climate resilience initiatives. Microsoft logo featured on website as a partner organization.
• ApplecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner contributing to sustainability and water stewardship goals.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor collaboration in Vietnam's Dien Bien Province. UNICEF and Gravity Water working together on Sustainable Rural Clean Water Program benefiting 50 schools and 10 household clusters. Field visits hosted for UAE Government delegation.
• World CentriccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner for school projects in Nepal. Supporting rainwater harvesting installations at schools like Bal Adarsha Secondary School.
• Water Watch Penang (WWP)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal implementation partner in Malaysia. 30-year advocate for water conservation conducting education programs and implementing rainwater harvesting systems in Kelantan schools.
• Clean InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational NGO supporting clean water initiatives. Logo featured as partner on website.
• Concise Impact NepalminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal non-profit partnership in Nepal's Sindhupalchok district to bring rainwater harvesting to schools serving 450+ students.
• Isla UrbanaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in rainwater harvesting space. Logo featured on website.
• 1% For the PlanetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnvironmental membership organization where member companies pledge 1% of sales to environmental causes. Gravity Water is a recipient member.
• Environmental Ethics Foundation of Taiwan (EEFT)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal partner in Taiwan implementing rainwater harvesting pilot initiative. EEFT identifies schools, explains benefits, and oversees installations. Project provides water solutions to 32,746+ students.
• Qunsheng (群晟) Plumbing TeamminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFamily legacy plumbing team in Taiwan serving as trusted rainwater harvesting installation partner. Manages installations in New Taipei City schools including Xinyi Elementary.
• Christina Noble Children's Foundation (CNCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to expand into Tay Ninh Province, Vietnam. Planning to install systems in schools identified by Education Department.
• PACCOM (People's Aid Coordinating Committee)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVietnam government body facilitating expansion procedures in Tay Ninh Province. Sent official letter to People's Committee in December 2024.
• Ho Chi Minh City People's CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment approval for 25 systems in Can Gio District as part of Saigon Watershed Initiative. Can Gio District People's Committee submitted clarifications to HCM DPI.
• Malaysian Ministry of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry supporting pilot project in Malaysia. Kelantan State Education Department also collaborating on installations.
• Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry expressed appreciation for sustainable water solutions and requested installation of systems in Ca Mau province. Ribbon-cutting ceremonies organized by Ministry.
• Gong Cha VietnamminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner whose Senior Marketing Director visited installed systems in Hoa Binh Province, validating impact on hygiene and school attendance.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• WaterStep: Nonprofit providing low-cost water treatment and purification systems to communities in need globally. Comparable in deploying simple, low-tech water treatment hardware in resource-limited settings.
• Waterlines: Rainwater harvesting solutions provider focused on sustainable water access in developing regions. Comparable in product category (rainwater harvesting hardware) and target beneficiary profile.
• Isla Urbana: Mexico-based social enterprise specializing in rainwater harvesting systems for low-income and off-grid households. Already a listed partner of Gravity Water; directly comparable technology in the rainwater-harvesting-for-vulnerable-communities niche.

Direct peers

• Water.org: Global nonprofit co-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White, focused on expanding access to safe water and sanitation through financing solutions. Comparable in mission, donor-funded model, and emphasis on durable, locally-relevant water solutions.
• charity: water: US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit funding clean water projects in developing countries. Closest comparable in mission (safe water access), donor-supported model, and beneficiary focus on schools and communities in Asia/Africa.
• Water For People: International nonprofit working to ensure everyone has sustainable access to safe water and sanitation. Comparable in mission, donor-supported model, and district-level implementation approach in developing countries.
• WaterAid: International nonprofit focused on sustainable access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene in low-income countries. Comparable as a large, established WASH-focused nonprofit with school and community programs in similar geographies.
• Planet Water Foundation: US-based nonprofit deploying clean water filtration systems and hygiene education to schools and communities in Asia and Latin America. Highly comparable as a school-focused water nonprofit with a hardware product (AquaTower) and similar Asia-Pacific footprint.

Regional players

• DigDeep Right to Water Project: US-based nonprofit working to close the water access gap, primarily in the United States and Mexico. Comparable in nonprofit structure and water-equity mission, though geographically distinct from Gravity Water's Asia-Pacific focus.

Broad incumbents

• Engineers Without Borders (USA): Larger nonprofit organization implementing water, sanitation, and infrastructure projects in developing countries. Comparable as a water-infrastructure-focused nonprofit, though broader in scope (engineering, energy, agriculture) and project-based rather than hardware-product.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@gravity_water
• Facebookfacebook.com/gravitywater
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gravitywater
• Instagraminstagram.com/gravitywater
• Xx.com/gravitywater_

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gravity Water