Co-operative Group’s clean water initiative helps 1m

AN initiative launched by the Co-operative Group to provide clean water to some of the world’s poorest countries is now helping 1m people.

For the past three years, the Manchester-based organisation has been partnering the One Foundation which installs ‘PlayPump’ water systems in African countries.

A percentage of the sales from the Co-operative’s own-brand range of mineral water – Fairbourne Springs – has gone directly to installing the roundabout pumps in South Africa, Lesotho, Malawi and Swaziland. 

The innovative PlayPump water systems are powered by roundabouts, which children play on and pump water up to a storage tank for use by the whole community.

The provision of the pumps has transformed the lives of whole communities, especially for many women and children, who may have previously spent hours each day walking to collect water. 

Sales have been boosted by the Co-operative Group’s acquisition of Somerfield last year, as the consumer-owned retailer has continued its commitment to ethical trading, extending its reach to the enlarged estate.

Co-operative and Somerfield customers have now raised enough money to fund some 400 pumps in Africa, where new installations are being approved every week. 

The amount of clean drinking water these provide equates to 140 Olympic-sized swimming pools – and means that one million people will have access to clean, safe water.

Sean Toal, commercial director for food retail at the Co-operative, said: “Co-operative and Somerfield customers have really got behind this initiative.

“To provide clean and safe water for so many is an incredible achievement, which has literally been life-changing for the people concerned.”

To mark the milestone and to encourage even more customers to support “water for water” projects in Africa, the Co-operative is launching a major awareness campaign to communicate the One Million People message via in-store communications and social media activity.