BELIEVING THAT CHANGING THE WATER WILL CHANGE THEIR LIVES
A Water Purification System from Yamaha Motor Ushering in a New Life for People in Emerging Markets
The Yamaha Clean Water Supply System ( YCW ) is a compact water purification system that uses the natural water purification method of slow sand filtration . These facilities have been demonstrably effective in small villages or settlements lacking a source of clean water in developing countries .
In 2022 , new YCW units were installed in villages in Kenya and Ethiopia , bringing the total number in operation to 45 across 15 countries , primarily in Africa and Asia . Yamaha Motor aims to further expand the introduction of the YCW through close collaboration and cooperation with governments and international organisations .
The Yamaha Clean Water Supply System ( YCW ) is a compact water purification system that uses slow sand filtration , a natural water purification method . It is an effective system for small settlements or villages in developing countries without access to potable water . Operating a YCW facility does not require a large amount of electricity , maintenance by specialists , or special chemical agents , and can be maintained independently by residents .
Access to clean water is a serious issue and part of the UN ’ s Sustainable Development Goals with SDG 6 : Clean Water and Sanitation . To date , it is estimated that 26 % of the world ’ s population , approximately 2 billion people , do not have access to safely managed drinking water services ( UNICEF / 2020 ). Yamaha Motor is actively working to introduce the YCW system through cooperation with international organisations , NGOs , Japanese embassies , and other organisations in each target country . At present , 45 units are in operation in Africa and Asia , and the potable water they provide is contributing to the reduction of diseases , freeing women and children from hard work of drawing water , and giving birth to new sources of cash income for residents through water-related businesses , such as delivery services .
Okabe Norihiko of Yamaha Motor ’ s Overseas Market
Development Operation ( OMDO ) Business Unit is in charge of introducing YCWs to new locations .
“ Life really does change when the water changes ,” he explains . “ We ’ ve seen this happen in every location and I want to keep growing the number of settlements equipped with YCWs into the future .”
It takes about two weeks to install a single YCW unit and that sees Okabe and other members of OMDO working hard with local residents at the construction site . However , the work itself is not a straightforward process as it often is in countries with highly developed infrastructure . When the YCW system was initially
TRAVERSE 64