Abundant Water
Abundant Water is a Canberra-based non-profit that designs, produces, and distributes handmade ceramic water filters in Laos, Timor-Leste, and the Philippines through a trained local vendor network, serving rural households, schools, and health clinics that lack reliable clean drinking water.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersCanberra, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Abundant Water does
Abundant Water is an Australian-registered non-profit (ABN 74 867 217 898) founded in 2008 by Sunny Forsyth and headquartered in Canberra, with operational offices in Vientiane (Laos) and Dili (Timor-Leste) and a pilot presence in Bohol and Maribojoc (Philippines) since 2022. The organization manufactures and distributes handmade ceramic clay-pottery water filters, a technology traceable to Dr Tony Flynn's research at the Australian National University, capable of removing 99.9% of waterborne pathogens and meeting national drinking water standards in Laos. Filters are produced locally by trained potters (a production facility in Vientiane was established in 2011) and distributed to rural households, schools, and health clinics in communities that lack reliable clean water.
The business model is a hybrid social enterprise and donor-funded non-profit. Commercial revenue is generated through a community-led vendor network: local entrepreneurs are trained to buy filters at cost, sell them in their villages, and earn a commission on each transaction while providing installation, maintenance, and replacement services. This is supplemented by grants from government aid agencies and foundations (Reece Foundation, US Embassy, Czech Embassy, Australia/DFAT, CFLI, Caritas Luxembourg, Catholic Relief Services, Swiss Red Cross) and individual tax-deductible donations processed via Stripe. A partnership with South Pole additionally monetizes carbon credits tied to reduced firewood burning associated with filter use.
To date Abundant Water has reached over 200,000 cumulative beneficiaries across Laos (103,881+), Timor-Leste (89,000+), and the Philippines (5,202+ students and 292 teachers in 2024-25), trained 192 vendors, and distributed 23,670+ filters. The organization runs with a Canberra-based board and roughly 17 total staff including in-country program supervisors in Laos and Timor-Leste and a Business Development Manager in Timor-Leste.
Abundant Water firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Abundant Water
- Legal name
- Abundant Water
- Website
- https://abundantwater.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Abundant Water is a Canberra-based non-profit that designs, produces, and distributes handmade ceramic water filters in Laos, Timor-Leste, and the Philippines through a trained local vendor network, serving rural households, schools, and health clinics that lack reliable clean drinking water.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Abundant Water industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water Filtration Equipment
- NAICS
- Bottled Water Manufacturing (312112), Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (22131)
- SIC
- Water Supply (4941), Beverages (2080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pitcher & Dispenser Water Filters (CRAJAJAB)
Keywords
Where Abundant Water is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Canberra
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices4 records
Markets served
Abundant Water business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Water Filter Sales: Abundant Water sells ceramic water filters through a vendor network. Vendors purchase filters at cost price and sell to end customers (households, schools, health clinics), earning commission on each sale. This creates sustainable micro-businesses for local entrepreneurs while generating revenue for ongoing operations.
- Grants and Funding: Abundant Water receives grants from governments, foundations, and aid organizations for project implementation. This includes funding for pilot projects, school filter installations, vendor training, and operational expansion. Major funders include Reece Foundation ($30,000), US Embassy ($20,000 USD), Czech Aid, Australian Aid/DFAT, CFLI/Government of Canada, and others.
- Donations: Individual donors contribute funds to support Abundant Water's mission. Donations help provide filters for families, train vendors, and expand operations to new communities. The organization is a registered Australian charity (ABN 74 867 217 898) with tax-deductible donation status.
- Carbon Credit Revenue: Through partnership with South Pole, Abundant Water receives revenue from the sale of carbon credits, creating a new stable revenue stream while contributing to climate solutions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Classroom filter provision - $20 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Family filter installation - $39 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | School filter components - $49 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Community development organization training - $69 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Village business training - $99 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Village business ongoing training - $149 |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Abundant Water product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Abundant Water manufactures handmade ceramic clay-pottery water filters locally in Laos, Timor-Leste, and the Philippines, and distributes them through a network of trained local vendors to households, schools, and health clinics in rural communities. The organization also trains local entrepreneurs as water filter vendors to create sustainable micro-businesses that sell, install, maintain, and supply replacement filters in their communities.
Product overview
Abundant Water is a social business organization that provides clean drinking water solutions through a portfolio of ceramic water filter products and related services. The core offering consists of handmade clay-pottery water filters produced locally in project countries (Laos, Timor-Leste, Philippines), which are distributed through trained vendor networks. The company operates filter production facilities and provides vendor training programs to build local entrepreneurship. Products include ceramic water filters in standard and 28-litre sizes, filter sets for households/schools/health clinics, and capacity-building services. The social business model emphasizes sustainability through local production, vendor networks, and community ownership rather than being donation-dependent.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Ceramic Water Filters (Clay-Pottery Filters)
- 28 Litre Water Filters
- Filter Sets
- Water Filter Vendor Training Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 103,881+ beneficiaries reached in Laos with 11,670 filters distributed and 192 vendors trained
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Abundant Water
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Abundant Water technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature4 records
Abundant Water partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic, minor and major.
- FOKUPERScoreEstablished in 1997 to address gender based violence and human rights. Partners with Abundant Water to facilitate community workshops and build vendor networks in Timor-Leste.
- EconoxstrategicEconox, alongside IGES, procured Abundant Water's water filters to promote green waste reduction initiatives in Laos. Also supported vendor training workshop in Vientiane.
- Green Community AlliancestrategicOrganization cultivating awareness of environmental conservation for ethnic minorities in remote areas of Laos. Cooperated on CFLI vendor training in Oudomxay province.
- Women's Union of TagbilaranstrategicPartnership in Philippines helped train the first cohort of local vendors, offering opportunities for women to earn income while improving local health.
- CaltechstrategicTimor's local waste management company that recycles plastic materials. Abundant Water partners with Caltech to recycle packaging materials and uses Caltech's recycled plastic for filter table stands in schools.
- Mercy CorpsstrategicMercy Corps' Hatutan Project improves literacy, nutrition and health outcomes across 440 schools in Timor-Leste. Over 50% of snack vendors/kiosks chose Abundant Water filters.
- Feto EnginheraminorMembers of Feto Enginhera designed and built recycled plastic filter stands for classroom installations in Timor-Leste schools.
- Catholic Relief ServicesmajorPartnership from May 2019 extended CRS' ongoing school feeding program by including Abundant Water water filters for students.
- The Australian National University (ANU)majorMajor supporter since 2008 through financial and in-kind support. Provides students opportunities for in-field experience and thesis research. Partnership with EWB Australia for Timor-Leste projects.
- Water TightminorCanberra's reliable plumbing, drainage and gas fitting service. Proud partner of Abundant Water.
- South PolestrategicAward-winning developer of carbon projects and climate solutions. Partnership provides Abundant Water with new stable revenue stream through sale of carbon credits.
- IGES (Institute for Global Environmental Strategies)minorConducts innovative policy development and strategic research for environmental measures. Cooperated with Abundant Water and Econox to support plastic-free coffee shops and hotels in Laos.
- Rick Williams - Chartered AccountantminorLong standing accountant for Abundant Water providing financial management and accounting services.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Abundant Water competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Abundant Water social profiles
Digital presenceAbundant Water compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Abundant Water financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Abundant Water leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
Abundant Water funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Abundant Water 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 Abundant Water
What does Abundant Water do?
Abundant Water manufactures handmade ceramic clay-pottery water filters locally in Laos, Timor-Leste, and the Philippines, and distributes them through a network of trained local vendors to households, schools, and health clinics in rural communities. The organization also trains local entrepreneurs as water filter vendors to create sustainable micro-businesses that sell, install, maintain, and supply replacement filters in their communities.
Is Abundant Water a public or private company?
Abundant Water is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Abundant Water founded?
Abundant Water was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Abundant Water based?
Abundant Water is headquartered in Canberra, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Abundant Water make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Water Filter Sales are the primary driver. The others are grants and Funding, donations and carbon Credit Revenue.
Does Abundant Water have an API?
No public API is recorded for Abundant Water.
What industry is Abundant Water in?
Abundant Water's product category is Water Filtration Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAJAJAB, Pitcher & Dispenser Water Filters. Its NAICS code is 312112 and its SIC code is 4941.