New Borehole Project Brings Clean Water and New Hope to Nigerian Community

Over 400 people in the community of Ido-Osun, Osun State, Nigeria, are now enjoying reliable access to safe drinking water following the completion of a new borehole project by UK-registered charity Hope Spring Water.

The Ido-Osun Borehole Project has transformed daily life for local families who, for many years, depended on unsafe ponds, uncovered wells and seasonal streams for their water supply. 

Funded through donations from Hope Spring eCards, supporters and volunteers, the project highlights how relatively small contributions can make an enormous difference to communities in need.

Before the borehole was installed, collecting water was a daily struggle. Many women and children walked long distances every morning, often before sunrise, simply to collect enough water for drinking, cooking and washing. The time spent fetching water frequently affected children's education and limited opportunities for work and family life.

Resident Fatima described the impact of the new water source.

"Before, I woke before sunrise every day to fetch water from a pond nearly thirty minutes away. Today, I walked only a few minutes to collect clean water close to my home. My children now leave for school on time, and our daily lives have completely changed."

The charity worked closely with local leaders, teachers, healthcare workers and community groups before construction began, ensuring the project reflected local needs. Residents also helped select the borehole location and formed a local water management committee to help maintain the facility for years to come.

Drilling started in May 2026 and reached around 120 metres to access a sustainable underground aquifer capable of providing clean water throughout the year. The completed installation includes a 1,500-litre elevated storage tank, concrete collection areas and improved drainage to promote hygiene and minimise contamination.

The benefits are already becoming apparent. Local healthcare workers report a noticeable reduction in cases of diarrhoea since the borehole became operational, while teachers say pupils are arriving at school earlier, healthier and ready to learn instead of spending hours collecting water.

Although the project faced challenges, including difficult rock formations and weather-related construction delays, it was successfully completed in June 2026.

Hope Spring says millions of people across Nigeria still lack access to safely managed drinking water, and hopes additional donations will enable similar projects to be delivered in more underserved communities across Africa.

Access to clean water is about far more than convenience. It improves health, supports education, strengthens local economies and gives communities the opportunity to build a healthier, more sustainable future.

https://www.hopespring.org.uk

Hope Spring Signs MoU to Expand Water Poverty Alleviation Training

A new partnership between Hope Spring Water and Haba Naija is set to strengthen efforts to tackle water poverty in underserved regions of Nigeria through training, volunteering, and grassroots engagement.

Under the agreement, Haba Naija staff in Nigeria will undergo structured training delivered by Hope Spring Water, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to support water poverty alleviation workshops. The initiative aims to extend Hope Spring Water’s reach into parts of Nigeria where it currently has limited or no operational presence, ensuring that more communities benefit from sustainable water education and intervention programmes.

Speaking on the partnership, Tomi Onigbinde highlighted the importance of collaboration in driving impact: “This partnership represents a powerful step forward in our mission to combat water poverty. 

"By working with Haba Naija, we are not only expanding our reach but also empowering local teams with the skills and knowledge needed to create lasting change within their own communities. Sustainable impact begins with local involvement, and this initiative brings that vision to life.”

The training programme will focus on key areas such as community engagement, water sanitation awareness, project implementation strategies, and monitoring impact outcomes. Trained volunteers will then support outreach workshops across targeted regions, helping to educate communities about safe water practices while identifying areas in need of intervention.

Bujola Ogunremi also expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “At Haba Naija, we are deeply committed to initiatives that create meaningful impact across Nigeria. Partnering with Hope Spring Water allows us to leverage our local presence and network to support an important cause. Our team is excited to contribute directly to improving lives by helping extend access to clean water education and solutions.”

This partnership reflects a growing recognition of the role digital platforms can play in supporting real-world development initiatives. By combining Hope Spring Water’s expertise in water poverty solutions with Haba Naija’s local reach and influence, the collaboration is expected to accelerate awareness, engagement, and action.

Both organisations believe the initiative will serve as a scalable model for future partnerships aimed at addressing critical social challenges across Nigeria and beyond.

https://www.hopespring.org.uk

Bluwater Solutions: Smart Water Innovation for a Greener Future

Water is one of our most precious natural resources, yet it’s often taken for granted.

 Across the UK and beyond, concerns around water quality, plastic waste, and sustainable infrastructure are growing louder. 

Enter Bluwater Solutions, a company at the forefront of clean water technology, offering innovative systems designed to reduce environmental impact while improving access to safe, great-tasting drinking water.

What is Bluwater?

Bluwater is a Swedish-based water technology company specialising in advanced purification and sustainable hydration solutions. Their mission is simple but powerful: eliminate the need for single-use plastic bottles by delivering purified water wherever people need it, homes, workplaces, and public spaces.

The Problem: Plastic Bottles and Water Waste

The UK alone uses billions of plastic water bottles each year, many of which are not recycled. Add to that concerns about microplastics, contaminants, and ageing water infrastructure, and it becomes clear that a smarter solution is needed.

Bluwater tackles these issues head-on by:

Reducing reliance on bottled water

Cutting plastic waste at the source

Improving water purity beyond standard filtration

The Technology Behind Bluwater

At the heart of Bluwater’s systems is advanced reverse osmosis and membrane filtration technology. Unlike standard filters, which can miss microscopic contaminants, Bluwater systems remove:

Microplastics

Bacteria and viruses

Heavy metals

Chemical residues

The result? Water that is not only safer but often tastes significantly better, something that encourages people to ditch bottled alternatives altogether.

Real-World Applications

Bluwater’s solutions are already being used in a wide range of settings:

Airports and transport hubs , refill stations reducing traveller reliance on bottled water

Hotels and restaurants, offering premium still and sparkling water on-site

Offices and workplaces, improving sustainability credentials

Events and festivals, cutting down on plastic waste

This scalability makes Bluwater particularly attractive for businesses looking to meet ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) goals while offering a practical benefit to customers and staff.

Why It Matters for Sustainability

Bluwater isn’t just about clean water, it’s about changing behaviour.

By making refill stations and purified water more accessible, the company helps normalise reusable bottles and reduce single-use plastics. This shift is crucial if the UK is to meet its environmental targets and reduce landfill and ocean pollution.

Key sustainability benefits include:

Significant reduction in plastic bottle usage

Lower carbon footprint from transport and manufacturing

Encouragement of reusable habits

Improved public access to clean drinking water

A Smarter Way Forward

As sustainability becomes a priority for individuals, businesses, and governments alike, solutions like Bluwater offer a glimpse into a more responsible future.

Rather than relying on disposable convenience, we’re seeing a shift towards infrastructure that supports sustainable living, and water is a perfect place to start.

For readers of That’s Green, the message is clear: small changes, like choosing refill over purchase, can have a big impact. And with companies like Bluwater leading the way, making that choice is becoming easier than ever.

Bluwater Solutions represents a powerful blend of technology, sustainability, and everyday practicality. By rethinking how we access and consume water, it’s helping to tackle one of the most visible environmental challenges of our time.

If the future is refillable, reusable, and responsible—Bluwater is already there.

https://www.bluewatergroup.com/en-gb

Hope Spring completes first borehole project in Northern Nigeria

Hereford-based water poverty alleviation charity, Hope Spring Water, has announced the completion of its first borehole project of 2026 and its first-ever clean water initiative in the northern part of Nigeria.

In a blog post published on the charity’s website, spokesperson Bolu Olorunfemi confirmed the milestone, stating: “We are pleased to announce the completion of the Akwanga project. 

"The community is delighted to have their very own clean water on tap for the very first time in their history.”

The charity is funded entirely by donations from supporters. Among the initiatives supporting its work is its digital platform, Hope Spring eCards, which enables supporters to send electronic greeting cards for occasions such as birthdays and seasonal celebrations. The organisation noted that engagement with sections such as the March birthday eCards has contributed to its broader fundraising efforts.

The newly completed borehole project in Akwanga represents a significant development for the community, where access to safe and reliable drinking water has historically been limited. For many residents, clean water has meant long walks to distant sources, reliance on seasonal streams, or the use of untreated water that carries health risks. The installation of a functioning borehole now changes that reality in a practical and immediate way.

Access to clean water is widely recognised as one of the most critical foundations for public health, education, and economic stability. Without it, communities often face recurring outbreaks of waterborne diseases, reduced school attendance among children tasked with fetching water, and limited opportunities for small-scale agriculture or local enterprise.

Hope Spring Water, based in Hereford in the United Kingdom, has been working with water-poor communities in West Africa for more than a decade. Over the years, the charity has supported the drilling of boreholes, rehabilitation of broken water systems, and implementation of community-led water management structures designed to ensure long-term sustainability.

According to the organisation, the Akwanga project is particularly significant because it marks the charity’s first clean water intervention in northern Nigeria. While Hope Spring has previously delivered projects in other parts of West Africa, expanding into northern Nigeria reflects a strategic effort to reach underserved regions where the need for safe water infrastructure remains acute.

Community engagement formed a central part of the project’s implementation. Local leaders and residents were involved throughout the planning and execution stages, helping to identify the most suitable site for the borehole and establishing basic management arrangements to safeguard the facility. This participatory approach, the charity says, helps foster a sense of ownership and responsibility within beneficiary communities, increasing the likelihood that the water system will be properly maintained over time.

While the eCard platform is one of several funding channels, the charity stresses that all proceeds are directed toward water poverty alleviation projects. Supporters who choose to send eCards are, in effect, contributing to the delivery of tangible infrastructure such as the Akwanga borehole.

For residents of Akwanga, however, the impact is measured less in fundraising mechanisms and more in daily life. Clean water on tap means children can spend more time in school rather than walking long distances to fetch water. It means reduced exposure to contaminated sources and the illnesses that often follow. It means households can plan their days with greater certainty, knowing that a reliable supply of safe water is available within their community.

The completion of the borehole also signals the beginning of a new phase rather than the end of a project. Ongoing monitoring and community coordination will be essential to ensure the system continues to function effectively. Hope Spring Water has indicated that it will maintain communication with local contacts to track usage and address any technical challenges that may arise.

As 2026 progresses, the charity says it fully intends to build on this milestone with additional projects aimed at reaching other water-poor communities. 

For now, the successful completion of the Akwanga borehole stands as a clear example of how targeted intervention, sustained donor support, and local collaboration can come together to deliver meaningful change.

For Hope Spring Water and the community it has served, the message is straightforward: access to clean water is not a luxury, but a necessity, and in Akwanga, it is now a reality.

https://www.hopespring.org.uk

World Water Day: Why Every Drop Matters

Every year on 22 March, the world pauses to reflect on something so ordinary we often overlook it: water. 

World Water Day, coordinated by United Nations, shines a spotlight on the global water crisis and the urgent need for sustainable management of freshwater resources.

It is easy, particularly here in the UK where turning on the tap feels effortless, to forget that billions of people around the world still lack reliable access to safe drinking water. 

Yet even closer to home, issues such as ageing infrastructure, river pollution, drought risk and rising demand remind us that water security is not guaranteed.

Why World Water Day Matters

Water underpins everything:

Public health

Food production

Energy generation

Wildlife habitats

Local economies

Without clean water, communities cannot thrive. Globally, water scarcity is increasing due to climate change, population growth and pollution. 

Periods of extreme rainfall followed by prolonged dry spells are becoming more common, placing pressure on reservoirs, farmland and wildlife alike.

In England, hosepipe bans in recent summers have demonstrated that even a temperate climate is not immune to shortages. Meanwhile, concerns about river quality have prompted widespread discussion about sewage discharge and environmental regulation. These are not distant problems — they are part of our national conversation.

The Link Between Climate and Water

Climate change is, at heart, a water story. Rising temperatures intensify the water cycle, meaning heavier storms, more flooding, longer droughts and disrupted seasonal rainfall patterns.

This affects:

Farmers managing crops

Households facing higher bills

Wildlife depending on stable ecosystems

Coastal communities vulnerable to rising seas

World Water Day encourages governments, businesses and individuals to think long-term about resilience, infrastructure and responsible consumption.

What Can We Do at Home?

While global policy matters, everyday habits make a difference too. Consider:

1. Use water wisely

Shorter showers, fixing leaks promptly and running full washing loads all reduce waste.

2. Choose reusable options

A refillable bottle and filtered tap water cut down on plastic and support trust in local supplies.

3. Be mindful of what goes down the drain

Avoid pouring fats, oils and chemicals into sinks. These damage waterways and treatment systems.

4. Support river conservation

Many local volunteer groups help protect streams and canals. Even a few hours a year can have impact.

Water and Community

Water has always brought people together, from village wells to canal networks and seaside towns. It shapes our landscapes and our memories. Whether it is a walk along a Welsh coastline, a Shropshire riverbank or a city canal path, water connects us to place.

World Water Day is not simply about statistics. It is about recognising that access to clean water is a human right and a shared responsibility.

A Moment of Reflection

The next time you fill the kettle or water the garden, pause for a moment. Consider the journey that water has taken, from cloud to reservoir, through pipes and treatment plants, and finally into your home.

Every drop has value.

And protecting it is something we can all be part of.

https://www.unwater.org/our-work/world-water-day

Hope Spring completes seventh clean water project of the year

Herefordshire-based water poverty alleviation charity, Hope Spring announced the completion of their seventh clean water project of the year recently. In a blog posted on their website earlier this month, they issued details of the project. 

It was a borehole constructed at Atobaje community, in Agege in Nigeria. The project was partly funded by Hope Spring, a local NGO and the local community association.

The newly constructed borehole is expected to serve over forty households and the local primary school.

 With six standpipes and one larger pipe, for dispensing water to people who would rather stand with their water collection bucket on their head, the facility can serve a total of seven people at the same time. The project took a total of six weeks to complete. 

As with all borehole and well projects, geophysical survey to identify the best place to place the borehole was the first step taken, before drilling could begin.

On completion of the drilling and plumbing process, a short ceremony was held to handover the project to the community. 

Handing the project over to the community, Hope Spring water Nigeria director Dr Rahmat Adebisi thanked the community for their help in making the project happen without any hitches. She thanked Hope Spring UK business Christmas charity ecard fundraiser, which made the funding for the project possible.

The community through the water committee it set up will take over the day to day running and maintenance of the borehole. Thousands of litres of water was collected on the day the project was handed over to the community. The project is expected to provide clean water to the community for many years to come.

You can find our more information about Hope Spring water and it's clean water projects on their website and their social media pages.

https://www.hopespring.org.uk

Blue Skies Provide The Latest In Eco Water Systems In Time For The Hosepipe Ban

Leading garden irrigation company Blue Skies are advising home owners to invest in the eco Dripline Irrigation Systems which are exempt from the imminent hosepipe ban. Using the Dripper Hose allows the slow release of water through water regulated emitters inserted within the hose, ensuring every drop of water is used efficiently by placing the hose close to the stems or roots of the plants shrubs or trees, without wasting a drop on weeds and pathways.

Rainwater is far healthier for the garden, is natural, does not produce limescale and is free of chemicals. Harvesting rainwater with a Water Butt combined with the Dripline Irrigation System, rainwater is distributed on a timed system and hidden from sight .

Water Butts used to be unsightly, however, they are now in various shapes and are easy to hide. The water storage systems are raised off the ground, enabling access to the tank by a tap at the bottom of the container for easy water dispensing. Solar Powered Pumps are now installed to dispense water around the garden, and if reports are to be believed, we are in for a hot summer, these are by far the most eco savvy solutions - easy to use and hassle free, the solar panel works off the Water Butt and pumps the water around the garden. The ultimate in harnessing nature's elements and re-using them.

FACTFILE:
Buckinghamshire-based Blue Skies Water Systems are a company selling garden irrigation and rainwater harvesting equipment. Also working as landscapers, they have an extensive knowledge of gardens and landscapes and have been installing irrigation systems for many years.

For further information, please contact:
 sales@blueskieswatersystems.com

Website: www.blueskieswatersystems.com

WJ King helps dig a well in India

Top regional brewer, Sussex-based WJ King, has joined forces with local charity Drop4Drop to help provide clean drinking water in a village in India.

WJ King has committed to building a well in a village called the 'Mulla Community'. It has a population of 1,032 people and is based in East Goddavari, Andhra Pradesh, India.

WJ King will provide one litre of clean drinking water to this village for every bottle of WJ King bottle conditioned real ale they sell during all of 2012. Water or brewing liquor is fundamental to the quality of beer and with this in mind it seemed like a good match.

Ian Burgess, Head Brewer at WJ King commented "It seemed like an obvious connection, we will use approximately 5 pints of water for every pint of WJ King real ale we make and yet there are people in the world without a drop to drink.

"WJ King is very committed to supporting its wider community, both at home and abroad and the sponsorship of the well for the Mulla Community represents the 50th community sponsorship undertaken since Ian became head brewer in 2010.

"We are very proud of our efforts to improve the quality of life for those in need and with the massive growth we have enjoyed over the last 20 months since taking over at WJ King, it will not be long before the well is complete and we can look to further projects with Drop4Drop."

With a 200 year tradition of brewing some of the most respected and enjoyed Sussex ales, WJ King has evolved into a new style of micro brewery, using only the finest natural and local ingredients and traditional brewing techniques to produce the finest quality local ales.

Visit www.kingbeer.co.uk to find out where to taste the new beer.

After several weeks of testing, That's Green looks at the JetStorm Eco Showerhead

Ecocamel has introduced a new graphite trim for its revolutionary JetStorm showerhead, which cuts hot water bills by 40% while saving water, energy and carbon emissions. The new colour joins the popular metallic blue, which launched earlier this year and proves that eco can be sleek and stylish too, allowing customers greater aesthetic choice, to suit their existing bathroom colour scheme.

JetStorm is the most advanced eco showerhead on the market and will help you save the environment whilst stopping you splashing the cash in your shower.

The JetStorm showerhead allows you to:
· Cut hot water bills by 40%

· Significantly reduce the water you use in the shower
(a typical family of four can save up to 56,000 litres a year*)

· Cut energy use and carbon emissions

· Provide payback periods of just 3 months (with annual savings calculated to be £240 a year)

* Test results based on a family of four taking a daily seven-minute shower (Independent testing conducted at Liverpool John Moores University)

Developed by UK firm Ecocamel, JetStorm is the only showerhead to use patented Twin Injet technology, which maximises pressure while saving you water, allowing you to go green and save money without compromising on the quality or performance of your showering experience.

The design of the JetStorm features a large faceplate for an even spa-like shower spray; wipe clean rubber nodules to prevent the build up of limescale and a choice of two coloured trims, to add style to your shower room. The showerhead fits any standard shower hose and works with most electric showers.

JetStorm costs £49.95 and is available to buy from www.ecocamel.com

After several weeks of testing, That's Green can state that a reduction in water use has already been identified. Plus, as the testing is taking place in an area of exceptionally hard water,the concept of having wipe clean rubber nodules has already received due praise!

2011 Future Friendly Awards recognise and reward local sustainability stars

Water shortage has been a real issue for farmers across the country in recent months. But did you know that, if -for example- everyone in the UK cut two minutes off their shower time whenever they shower, in one day we could save enough water to fill 373 Olympic sized swimming pools?

Across the country there are thousands of people who are doing their bit to help the environment. To recognise their efforts, we mark the launch of the 5th Future Friendly Awards, a nationwide search for heroic communities and individuals committed to making a difference by promoting sustainable living through their actions.

Future Friendly is a consumer education programme, backed by sustainability experts the Energy Saving Trust, Waste Watch and Waterwise, which seeks to inspire and enable people around the country to contribute to a better tomorrow. Using Future Friendly’s trusted P&G brands - Ariel, Lenor, Fairy, Flash, Pampers and Pantene - can help us to save energy, save water and reduce waste by up to 50%.

Future Friendly wants to encourage every household in the UK to do their own ‘inspired little acts’ so they can save resources and money and also appreciate how small, everyday changes in the home can turn into a united wave of sustainable change from street to town to region.

They want to reward local community projects championing grassroots ‘green’ initiatives to enter. Shortlisted winners from 12 regions of the UK and Ireland will each receive £1,000, from which one national winner will be awarded a £10,000 bursary to help support their efforts.

But this year and for the first time, they also want to recognise ‘Little’ and ‘Big Heroes’, aged under and over 18 respectively, for their sustainable efforts too. An overall winner in each category will receive a sustainable holiday for five worth £1,000.

Past community winners have ranged from an online ‘swap shop’ for baby equipment, an invention to help measure water consumption and last year’s winners, the Project Group from Shropshire who recycle waste into eye-catching fashion and art pieces.

Previous Future Friendly community winner, the 1st Clanfield Scout Group from Hampshire, used its £10,000 bursary to install two solar panels, restore the surrounding paddock, and set up indoor disabled facilities to encourage the use of the building and grounds for people with special needs. Doris Barden, Group Secretary of the Scout Group, said: “Without the Future Friendly support we would never have been able to complete our environmental wish list and for this we are most appreciative.”

“No matter what your eco-friendly activity, the Future Friendly Awards openly invites entrants from those promoting ‘green living’ among their community groups or nearest and dearest,” said a spokesman.

He went on to say: “The awards: we’re looking for local community groups and individuals who have taken steps to be more sustainable. Entries close at midnight on 16 July 2011. The public will vote online for their favourite community project and from our 12 regional winners, a panel of expert judges will choose a national winner as well as our Little and Big Heroes.

“To find out more about Future Friendly, enter the awards, or nominate a group or Little or Big Hero you think deserves recognition, visit www.futurefriendly.co.uk.”

On the side of the Angels: Angel Springs launch own range of eco boilers

It’s very important to keep hydrated as this helps us to stay healthy and energised, and now Angel Springs have developed a new range of eco boilers meaning you can meet your hot water needs in a greener, more environmentally friendly way.

Angel Springs is one of the top water cooler service providers in the UK (you'll probably have seen their vans out on the roads) and their innovative products and systems are leading the way in terms of work place and domestic hydration solutions. The new eco boiler range by Angel is the latest example of this and saves customers both time and money. A reduction in the energy used by this eco boiler will lower business costs and household bills, resulting in a cost effective way to preparing hot drinks.

These instant water boilers are suitable for all needs and they are available in a stylish stainless steel finish – providing a sleek look to any kitchen or workplace. Available in 5 or 10 litre variations the eco boiler is plumbed into the mains water supply which has an automatic refill facility – meaning that once it’s up and running you don’t have to worry about replacement bottles or refills.

The new range of eco boiler also incorporates the latest BRITA filtration technology providing a high quality tasting drink free from harmful impurities. So they are better for you, too. And what's more, each eco boiler is made from 98% recyclable materials and comes in a range of different sizes depending on your needs.

To find out more about the new eco boiler visit www.angelsprings.com or call 0845 370 1177.