The January DWI SF was hosted by Sally and Adam in Potrero Hill. Thirteen attendees weighed in about the topic of basic service delivery in developing countries, examining the question “how much should the poor pay for energy and clean water?” The topic was proposed by Mike MacHarg, a consultant to a number of solar energy companies.
The first part of the discussion revolved around water – what are the best solutions for clean water and examples of success. Sally gave examples of her work with the “Ripple Effect,” an IDEO, Acumen Fund and Gates Foundationcollaboration to find and support market-based solutions for the distribution of clean water in Kenya and India. April explained the Water Credit Initiative at Water.org, which assists MFIs to create and enhance a loan portfolio dedicated to household clean water investments, such as meter connections, rainwater harvesting equipment, etc. Jocelyn mentioned the exciting new household filtration units coming out of India, including a new Hindustan Lever device at a very competitive cost price. The debate turned to the challenges of point-of-use water treatment models versus community-based solutions. It was mentioned that the community-based solutions still require education to prevent contamination of the water between the source and when it is drunk. April turned the conversation toward sanitation and reframed the question: if sanitation was better, there wouldn’t be as much need for water purification. The Gates Foundation has recently prioritized funding of sanitation projects, with water and hygiene as secondary objectives.
Mike brought up some of the energy solutions he is working on, including an off-grid pre-paid solar system that Arch Finance is exploring. Sally, as co-founder of solar energy company Cosmos Ignite, explained the biggest constraints in the solar business – distribution. Molly discussed Living Goods’ successes and challenges distributing solar lanterns and the nascent solar market forming in East Africa.
Overall, the discussion just scratched the surface of this huge topic, but with so many attendees working in this space, it is sure to be re-visited very shortly. (NB: the other DWI franchises in DC, Dar es Salaam and potentially Rio, got shout-outs throughout the night.)
Book recommendations:
- “That water, those rocks” – Katherine Haake. The story of the creation and evolution of California’s Central Valley irrigation system, told through the perspective of 5 generations of Californians.
- “The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters” – Rose George
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