Safe Water Network

Actor and philanthropist Paul Newman founded Safe Water Network with other civic leaders to solve a global challenge that would require innovation, collective action, and adaptive learning for all future generations: sustainable access to safe water.

Since its founding, Safe Water Network has worked to overcome the challenges faced by communities in developing economies with restricted access to safe water. Preliminary research identified critical gaps in service delivery: unreliable operations, financial unsustainability, poor quality water, and inequitable access. Our innovative original idea was to restore agency to communities through access to safe water, education, and capacity building. We believe deeply in the potential of communities to sustainably manage their own safe water systems.

We chose to begin our field implementation work in Ghana and India because of the enabling environments in both countries, including an openness to foreign investment, stable democracy and civil society, and a common language base. Starting and growing this work was possible through strong in-country teams of experts collaborating with a network of public and private partners. Through Field Implementation, Technical Assistance, and Sector Engagement, Safe Water Network is committed to providing the resources and practices that ensure millions of people in Ghana, India and globally have access to safe water.