Abundant Water

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.

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

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

• Ceramic water filters
• Clean water solutions
• Social business model
• Water filter distribution
• Rural water access

Headquarters

HQ city

Canberra

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic, minor and major.

• FOKUPERScoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEstablished 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.
• EconoxstrategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEconox, 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 AlliancestrategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOrganization 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 TagbilaranstrategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership in Philippines helped train the first cohort of local vendors, offering opportunities for women to earn income while improving local health.
• CaltechstrategicTechnology or IntegrationTimor'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 CorpsstrategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMercy 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 EnginheraminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMembers of Feto Enginhera designed and built recycled plastic filter stands for classroom installations in Timor-Leste schools.
• Catholic Relief ServicesmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership from May 2019 extended CRS' ongoing school feeding program by including Abundant Water water filters for students.
• The Australian National University (ANU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor 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 TightminorOthersCanberra's reliable plumbing, drainage and gas fitting service. Proud partner of Abundant Water.
• South PolestrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerAward-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)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducts 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 AccountantminorOthersLong standing accountant for Abundant Water providing financial management and accounting services.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/abundant-water

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Abundant Water