CRISIS
GIVE A PACK
PARTNERSThe Global Water Crisis
Estimates suggest that by 2025, almost 3 billion people will live in water scarce or water stressed regions of the world. Currently, more than 1 billion people have no access to safe water for personal requirements.
With 30,000 people dying every week from diseases caused by unsafe water and unhygienic living conditions and over 90% of those deaths tied to children under the age of five, the crisis continues to escalate.
The Achilles' Heel of the Global Water Crisis
In water stressed regions or after natural disasters, organizations invest in filtration
and purification systems. Yet, getting clean water from access point to home
is the Achilles’ heel of the global water crisis.
Women in water-stressed regions walk on average 3.5 miles everyday to get water
to their homes. Spinal injuries – even leading to death - are common among
people carrying up to 40 lbs. on water on their heads every day
An Environmental Health Study on the effects of water transportation.
Most women use dirty buckets or jerry cans that previously held
pesticides, fuel or other chemicals.
Dirty buckets = dirty water.
The PackH2O Alternative
PackH2O is a life-changing alternative to buckets and jerry cans to carry water home and help keep it clean. The water backpack can help keep water clean as it’s carried and stored because it can be hung up even when full.
The water backpack is breathtaking in its simplicity. PackH2O starts out clean and has a removable liner that, after use, is easily sanitized with exposure to sunlight. The PackH2O relieves the physical stress of carrying water by distributing the burden evenly on the wearer’s back.
The PackH2O is easy to carry, shifting and distributing the weight to the wearer’s back – a healthier solution.
Anatomy of the Tested Water Backpack
Tried & Tested
Greif tested the backpack with users in different and diverse communities, conducing field surveys and watching how the water backpacks were used. The design team incorporated feedback through several finely tuned iterations.
Investing in design returns positive results – 100% adoption rate.
An independent field survey of 380 households in Haiti found that all PackH2O users said the backpacks were comfortable; that they will continue to use them and would be likely to purchase them to use to carry daily household water from access point to home. 72% said they were able to carry more water than with buckets. 60% said it took them less time to carry water home.
SODIS – Solar to Sanitize the Liner
There is science behind PackH2O water backpack.
Studies by leading scientific nonprofit Battelle prove that the PackH2O is a safer alternative than jerry cans for carrying and storing household water. When used properly, the PackH2O can help keep water clean, as it is carried from access point to home.
The PackH2O inner liner can be removed and sanitized in the sun, a health benefit that is not possible when water is carried in jerry cans or buckets. In a study by leading scientific nonprofit Battelle, sanitizing the PackH2O liner in the sun removed E.Coli from the liner nearly as effectively as chlorination.
Low Cost to Distribute and Store
The PackH2O is efficient; it is 7 times lighter and 7 times smaller than a jerry can that holds the same amount of water. That means the PackH2O is less expensive to ship and requires less room to store than rigid containers – a key consideration in emergency relief and shipping to remote water-stressed regions.
Because of partner Greif’s global manufacturing capabilities and established distribution infrastructure, large volumes of PackH2O water backpacks can be delivered to the world’s most remote regions.
Features Include:
• Double Liner
• Chlorine tablet pouch
• Adjustable shoulder straps
• Protective Cover
• Volume: 5 gallons
• Strap strength: 352 lb
• Puncture resistance w/poly liner: 52 lbf
• Drain Spout
• Hand straps
• Puncture-resistant shell
• Reflective tape
• Weight: 43 lbf
• Backpack seam strength: 13.8 lbf
• Tear resistance of backpack fabric: 63 lbf
