650 Million people on the planet lack reliable access to safe water. Many rural Indian women and girls travel at least half a mile to reach a safe water source, taking up 25% of a women's day. Water is HEAVY. A woman or girl would carry 20KG each trip several times a day. The Wello WaterWheel cuts down on the trips, eases the burden and saves time, which can be used more productively and means instead of carrying water a girl can go to school. More water means better health and hygiene.
In much of rural India it is often necessary to walk 4-6 km or more every day to fetch water and in the dry season, it is not uncommon to walk much further. The traditional method of carrying water - with a 20-litre pot on the head - can severely damage the spine, causing severe pain and even leading to complications during childbirth. Not only are the health impacts serious but water collection and household chores are one of the primary reasons for low school attendance amongst girls.
The Wello WaterWheel is a 45L rolling drum that moves 3-5 times more water than possible using traditional methods, decreasing the amount of time spent by up to 60%. It is a low-cost, mobile solution that doubles the reach of existing water infrastructure such as wells and easily adapts to lifestyle, environment, and time of year, allowing users to move between sources of water according to season and availability. The Wello WaterWheel will help empower families to lift them out of poverty.
Wello have seen amazing and inspiring results through their pilot projects - households are saving up to 2 hours daily, and in some cases, men have begun to share the burden of water collection. Women are using their time productively to earn more income, girls can now focus on their studies. Use of a Waterwheel can empower, educate, and improve the health of women and girls. The pilot project has now been launched in Rajasthan. WaterWheels are now available to families in rural communities.
