WaterIsLife
WaterIsLife is a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2007 delivering safe drinking water and sanitation solutions through filtration systems to underserved communities primarily in Africa and Latin America, funded by donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What WaterIsLife does
WaterIsLife is a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2007 and headquartered in Los Angeles, with operations concentrated in underserved communities across Africa and Latin America. Its mission is to deliver safe drinking water and sanitation solutions through diverse filtration systems, addressing a global problem that affects an estimated 4.4 billion people who lack safe water and sanitation. The organization explicitly differentiates its methodology from conventional water-projects — which fail at a 30-50% global rate — by emphasizing long-term community ownership, listening to local needs, and co-building rather than short-term intervention. The Executive Director, Coté, has publicly positioned the cause in a TED Talk to raise awareness of what the organization calls the "invisible water crisis."
The core offering is direct, in-field implementation of water and sanitation projects rather than a commercial product sale. Underlying technology is described as "diverse filtration systems," with a dedicated Technology section on the website, but specific technical components, IP, or proprietary filtration design are not disclosed in the source material. Delivery occurs through on-the-ground project implementation in partner communities; no patents, trademarks, certifications, or formal partnerships with implementing NGOs or governments are recorded.
WaterIsLife's revenue model is donation-driven, accepting contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations through an online donation platform, with the addition of a "Shop to Support" merchandise channel. It maintains a small operational footprint of 1-10 employees and conducts outreach through organic social (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube), email, and earned media (TED Talks). Leadership comprises founder Ken Surritte, Executive Director Coté, and Director of Operations Mark Bender, with no identified venture capital, private equity, or institutional investment. The organization is BBB-accredited and operates under EIN 93-3658629.
WaterIsLife firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- WaterIsLife
- Legal name
- WaterIsLife
- Website
- https://waterislife.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- WaterIsLife is a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2007 delivering safe drinking water and sanitation solutions through filtration systems to underserved communities primarily in Africa and Latin America, funded by donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
WaterIsLife industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Clean Water and Sanitation Nonprofit Services
- NAICS
- Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131)
- SIC
- Water Supply (4941), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) (BPAGABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Water Resources, WASH & Integrated Water Management (BPADALAH), Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)
Keywords
Where WaterIsLife is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
WaterIsLife business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: WaterIsLife operates as a nonprofit organization generating revenue primarily through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization accepts donations through its website platform and encourages ongoing financial support for water projects.
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
WaterIsLife product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WaterIsLife is a nonprofit organization that delivers safe drinking water and sanitation solutions through diverse filtration systems to underserved communities, primarily in Africa and Latin America. The organization implements long-term, community-owned water projects designed to address the 30-50% global failure rate of water projects caused by lack of local ownership, unrealistic expectations, and poor planning.
Product overview
WaterIsLife is a non-profit charitable organization, not a software product company. Its offering consists of safe drinking water and sanitation solutions delivered through diverse filtration systems to communities in need, predominantly in Africa and Latin America. The organization implements water projects that address the global water crisis affecting 4.4 billion people, differentiating itself by providing long-term community ownership and commitment rather than short-term interventions that often fail (30-50% failure rate globally).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Safe Water and Sanitation Solutions Provides safe drinking water and sanitation infrastructure via diverse filtration systems to communities lacking access to clean water, primarily in Africa and Latin America. Aims to deliver long-term, community-owned water projects to reduce the global water project failure rate.
- Shop to Support Merchandise Branded merchandise program offered through the WaterIsLife website, with proceeds supporting the organization's clean water and sanitation initiatives.
- Donation Program Online donation program allowing individuals, corporations, and foundations to provide recurring or one-time financial contributions to fund water and sanitation projects in underserved communities.
Companies that use WaterIsLife
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
WaterIsLife technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
WaterIsLife partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights5 records
WaterIsLife competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat3 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
WaterIsLife social profiles
Digital presenceWaterIsLife financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WaterIsLife leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
WaterIsLife funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WaterIsLife M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about WaterIsLife
What does WaterIsLife do?
WaterIsLife is a nonprofit organization that delivers safe drinking water and sanitation solutions through diverse filtration systems to underserved communities, primarily in Africa and Latin America. The organization implements long-term, community-owned water projects designed to address the 30-50% global failure rate of water projects caused by lack of local ownership, unrealistic expectations, and poor planning.
Is WaterIsLife a public or private company?
WaterIsLife is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was WaterIsLife founded?
WaterIsLife was founded in 2007. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is WaterIsLife based?
WaterIsLife is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does WaterIsLife make money?
One revenue line is on record: donations and Fundraising.
Does WaterIsLife have an API?
No public API is recorded for WaterIsLife.
What industry is WaterIsLife in?
WaterIsLife's product category is Clean Water and Sanitation Nonprofit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGABAC, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH), with a secondary code of BPADALAH, Water Resources, WASH & Integrated Water Management. Its NAICS code is 2213 and its SIC code is 4941.