Hippo Water Roller Project

"appropriate technology for improved access to water"

The Hippo Water Roller was specifically designed to alleviate the suffering caused by a lack of access to water. The practical and durable design of the Hippo enables more water to be transported more efficiently than traditional methods:

• empowers women and children
• saves time and energy
• reduces suffering

The innovative design of the Hippo provides for a large drum capacity of 90 litres / 24 gallons. Far less effort is required to roll the heavy weight of water (90kg / 200lbs) along the ground than carrying the traditional 20-liter (5-gallon) buckets on the head. The effective weight on level ground is just 10kg (22 pounds) .

The drum is manufactured from UV stabilized Polyethylene and has been designed to withstand typical rural conditions. The large opening (135 mm / 5.3 inch diameter) allows for easy filling and cleaning of the interior. The sealed lid ensures hygienic storage of water and the steel handle provides firm control over difficult terrain while pushing or pulling the roller.

Extensive field tests over many years and various awards have proven the effectiveness of the Hippo Water Roller.

"appropriate technology for improved access to water"

Traditional methods of collecting water include carrying heavy 20 litre – 5 gallon buckets on the head.

Over time these heavy loads place an enormous strain on the skeletal frame, causing long-term damage and premature ageing.

This daily burden is significantly reduced by using appropriate technology like the Hippo Water Roller which is able to carry 4 times the amount of one bucket with less effort.

"In just one day, more than 200 million hours of women’s time is consumed for the most basic of human needs — collecting water for domestic use."¹

Imagine waking up long before sunrise and then walking for more than two hours to the nearest river or borehole and then carrying a bucket full of water on your head all the way home!

Now imagine you are a woman or a young child and it is your responsibility to carry this heavy bucket of water every day of your life!

Sounds melodramatic? This is a reality for millions of women and children around the world who do not have access to fresh water on tap.

Many millions of people worldwide, mostly women and children, are forced to walk long distances on a daily basis to collect their water requirements for the day.

"appropriate technology for improved access to water"

Currently, all Hippo Water Rollers are manufactured in and shipped from South Africa.

Most rollers are handed out in partnership with NGO’s, corporate businesses and governments with the resources to donate to impoverished communities.

Exporting completed Hippo Water Rollers to other countries where they are needed is expensive, often doubling the cost of a Hippo roller. Limited quantities fit into a container which severely impacts on shipping costs.

Local manufacturing of the Hipporoller is more cost effective over the long term. It requires the once-off shipping of one container that includes a small manufacturing machine. The local manufacturing plant only orders the shipping of raw materials as required.

Neighbouring countries are more effectively serviced by a local manufacturer, and local NGO’s requiring small quantities can more easily afford Hippo rollers.

Read more about Local Manufacturing.

"appropriate technology for improved access to water"

For most of us water is available within a short distance, but for many, access to water requires many hours of waiting in queues and carrying heavy loads.

Predominantly women and children are confronted with this daily task, limiting their educational and economic opportunities.

More than a billion people worldwide do not enjoy water on tap in or near their homes.

The Hippo water roller is now in use in South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, DRC (Congo), Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Approximately 38,000 rollers have been distributed worldwide over the past 15+ years, directly impacting over 250,000 people.

The consequence of easier access to water is far reaching, and results in:

• improvements to health and sanitation
• better access to education and
• an increase in economic productivity - a key component in poverty alleviation efforts.

Hippo Water Rollers also offer protection from land mines, as tests have proven their ability to absorb the impact and heat generated by such a blast.