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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

The H2O Solution for clean drinking water in rural China

(
Non-governmental organization (NGO)
)
#SDGAction43833
Description
Description
The problem the initiative attempts to solve: Currently, there is still a considerable challenge in identifying and uncovering prevalent unsafe water sources in China's remote and rural areas today. In response to this issue, MyH2O establishes The H2O Solution which focuses on offering customized solutions to address water safety issues for rural villages in China.
Initiative's objectives: This project focuses on the villages in the central and western regions of China, where there are hidden dangers in drinking water. Professionals, public welfare volunteers, enterprises and public welfare organizations participate in the design and implementation of targeted solutions and try to ensure the long-term sustainable operation in the local area. They also join their efforts in supporting water safety awareness education course when necessary. Local village organizations propose to us their water quality issues at each project site. After reviewing, we develop a preliminary report on water quality data and key issues. Through our information database, we deliver this report and complementary data and materials to our partners. We involve equipment, technical and funding support to participate in the implementation of each solution. Once we have gained enough donations or get enough donors involved, we negotiate with all involving parties to carry out the solution.

Overall action steps:

1- Establish partnership with local organizations and village leaders willing to support our initiative.
2- Selection and confirmation of project site, including a collection of detailed data on water quality issues from local villagers.
3- Match supporting parties from our database, including environmental professionals, funding partners, technical and equipment support partners, with project sites.
4- Design and confirm sustainable solution plans according to each project site.
5- Implement solutions and deliver complimentary educational materials to local villagers.
6- Subsequent return visits to monitor the sustainability of operations and maintenance of each solution.
7- Reflect on implementation results in each project site and eventually accumulate and publicize industry white papers on successful cases and best practices of fieldwork.

Initiative's follow-up mechanism: We do 2-3 years return visits to supervise the implementation of our solution. We also invite local operating partners to join the process of monitoring and giving feedback, in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the solution. For communities with qualified implementation, the ownership of our equipment will be delivered to the locals. For underperforming communities, our solution implementation project groups own the rights to retract the equipment. The above details are all confirmed by signing relevant agreements with community organizations in the early stage of implementation.
Expected Impact

6.1 - By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
To provide stable and safe water resources, The H2O Solution has designed and installed water resource facilities. Up till February 2021, we have implemented solutions in 8 project sites. Among the 5 project sites, we have installed our Charity Water Stations in 3 of them. With the support of various enterprises, welfare organizations in local villages, environmental professionals and many other parties, we have installed these stations in local schools in need of clean water. Currently, there are 8 running water stations, providing clean water resource to on average 1000 villagers per station. Each person extracts 37.4 liters of water per month from our stations. The Stations attempt at eradicating the pressing issue of unsafe local drinking water in rural China. MyH2O regularly collects water quality data, operation, and maintenance information of the water station in the subsequent 2-3 years after its establishment to ensure seamless sustainable operation in the long run.
6.b - Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management
The H2O Solution believes that engaging and strengthening the participation of local communities in solving this issue can make our solutions more sustainable and effective in the long term. The water stations charge a minimal fee. The revenue that these stations have generated is re-invested into infrastructural support for the construction of people's livelihood in rural villages and schools. Villagers can freely employ this monetary benefit to means they consider necessary. Additionally, as we implant the H2O Solution in Miaolan, a village of Kamese, team members adapt to the context of local communities to design two modes of water safety education: water knowledge class and a kid's drama show on water environment protection that the kids designed and showcased themselves. This innovative way of public education greatly enhance the water safety awareness of children and villagers, help nurture kids' awareness to drink water safely and protect their water source, and improve the effectiveness of the education process.
6.5 - By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate\r\nAfter the installation of an H2O Solution, our initiative publicizes its solution implementation processes and field research results in case studies reports, such as the H2O Case Study Handbook. This handbook analyzes the best methods and practices used to carry out effective solution design and implementation. It also shares with local social workgroups and potential partners how they can provide resources to help solve water quality issues. Through the publication of this handbook, our initiative is able to encourage more enterprises and social work groups to join our efforts in eradicating water safety issues. They can also learn from best practices in the past to design and carry out more effective solutions. As a result, we have received many technical, equipment, funding and human resources support from private sectors, philanthropic organizations, civil society organizations and university volunteer groups.

Partners
The following partners only include local social workgroups partners, the rest (funding, technical and equipment support) is listed in the section:Yongjia County Water Resources Bureau in Yongjia, Zhejiang Yiren College - the Elderly Association in Hebei Chuxin Social Workers Station in Yunnan Rongshugen Children's Home in Yunnan

Goal 6

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Goal 6

6.1

By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all

6.1.1

Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services

6.2

By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations

6.2.1

Proportion of population using (a) safely managed sanitation services and (b) a hand-washing facility with soap and water

6.3

By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally

6.3.1

Proportion of domestic and industrial wastewater flows safely treated

6.3.2

Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality

6.4

By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity
6.4.1

Change in water-use efficiency over time

6.4.2

Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources

6.5

By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate

6.5.1

Degree of integrated water resources management 

6.5.2

Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation

6.6

By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes
6.6.1

Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time

6.a

By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies
6.a.1

Amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance that is part of a government-coordinated spending plan

6.b

Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management

6.b.1

Proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management

Name Description
Since 2018, The H2O Solution has worked with ambassadors from more than 900 villages in the midwest to connect to tap water pipe network, install water filter donated by a third party, and establish water stations serving the whole village.
Accumulation of a comprehensive water preservation industry white papers: After a period of implementation and monitoring of the solutions, we have compared the effects of implementation on domestic and foreign industries' actions in improving rural drinking water quality. We have analyzed the changes that our solutions have brought based on the results of return visits to each project site. Thus, we can accumulate and continue to strengthen our water preservation industry white papers, The H2O Case Study Handbook, containing 8-10 exemplary cases. We have formated a methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of the sustainable community operational model of our water preservation programs. We have promoted this industry white papers through 6 online and 4 offline public events. It has provided The H2O Solution's partners with a standardized tool and action guide in analyzing water quality issues and connect these issues to effective solutions.
Community Engagement: The H2O Solution focuses on inviting cross-profession cooperation and multi-party participation to join the efforts of implementing effective solutions. The participation of enterprises or private entities is not only reflected in their funding and equipment support but also in the engagement of the enterprises' employees, serving as volunteers in rural water classrooms and landing ceremonies of our solution implementation. At the same time, we have also conducted fundraising and publicity cooperation with fan groups of well-known celebrities. Through the power of fan groups and the appeal of their idols, more people can pay attention to the water problems in rural communities and join the effort to support them. In addition, The H2O Solution has also added education courses for grassroots village leaders, governmental water conservancy-related staff, or people with strong local influence by establishing Charity Water Classrooms. We are well aware that it is difficult to raise residents' water awareness and improve their water usage habits from a long-term perspective. Therefore, we hope to cultivate long-term influential and educated leaders in the area to continue carrying out relevant initiatives or solutions after our volunteers have left.
Installation of clean water facilities: Since 2018, The H2O Solution has worked with ambassadors from more than 900 villages. Using data-driven insights, The H2O Solution has helped Gangu (Gansu), Linxia (Gansu), Ningjin (Yunnan), and other communities in the midwest to connect to tap water pipe network, install water filter donated by a third party, establish water stations serving the whole village, and build long-term water safety education service spots. For example, in the 6th phase of The H2O Project, the team from Lanzhou University visited the villages in Gangu county, Tianshui City, Gansu province. They found that due to a lack of water infrastructure, old water cellars have been the main water storage facility in parts of this region. As a result, villagers have been drinking water with high turbidity and ammonia nitrogen for several years. In the phase of The H2O Solution, experts went to Gangu to interview local communities, communicate with government officials, including the County Party Committee Secretary and the Deputy of the County Bureau of Water Affairs. MyH2O was then able to collaborate with the Red Cross team on this specific case and establish the local water station in September 2019 with the help of the Project team. Volunteers of the Lanzhou University team whose hometown is in Gangu also attended the ceremony for the establishment and provided water safety education to the public. We have implemented similar solutions to 9 other project sites, impacting villagers to gain 37.4 liters of clean water each month and 62330 liters of clean water in total.
In-kind contribution
Volunteers from enterprises and private sectors that we have partnered with are mobilized to help with the implementation of the H2O Solution.
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Timeline
01 November 2018 (start date)
12 April 2021 (date of completion)
Entity
MyH2O
SDGs
6
Region
  1. Asia and Pacific
Geographical coverage
Beijing, China
More information
Countries
N/A
Contact Information

Xiaoyuan Ren, Executive Director and Founder

xiaoyuan.ren@myh2o.org