Easy Water for Everyone's innovative, gravity-fed water purification system is winning praise from UAE Water Aid Foundation

New York, N.Y., February 22, 2023 — Easy Water for Everyone, a nonprofit that provides a water filtration system to Ghanian villages for free, has won second prize in the small innovative projects category of the 3rd Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award.

“We’re thrilled and honored to have our unique water filtration system recognized by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,” said Linda Donald, co-founder of Easy Water for Everyone. “Easy Water’s purification solution is groundbreaking, accessible, and resource-efficient.”

Developed in collaboration with Israel-based NUFiltration, LTD, Easy Water’s NUF500 gravity system produces 17 gallons of purified water per minute for Ghanaian villages that draw their water from the polluted Volta River. Research has shown that after installation of Easy Water’s system, cases of diarrhea plunged 70 percent among children and adults.

Founded by Ms. Donald and Dr. Nathan Levin, a nephrologist, Easy Water for Everyone’s mission is to bring pure and safe drinking water to every person who lives in a rural community with no access to electricity. 

“We believe that every human deserves lasting access to safe water and sanitation,” said Dr. Levin, “and the opportunity to spend more time learning, growing, working and thriving, instead of walking for water and fighting off illness.”

The 3rd Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award encourages the development of sustainable and innovative solutions for water scarcity by research centers, individuals and innovators worldwide. The United Arab Emirates Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE), under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, oversaw the award selection process.

In addition to the Innovative Projects Award, prize money totaling $1 million was distributed among three other primary categories: Innovative R&D Award, Innovative Individual Award, and Innovative Crisis Solutions Award.

There were submissions from 56 countries, and the winners were from eight countries, including Honduras, India, the Philippines, the United States, Kenya, Malaysia, China, and France.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid launched Suqia UAE in 2015 to contribute to solving the global water crisis by developing solutions for water scarcity and providing potable water for communities suffering from water shortages and pollution.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Suqia UAE, thanked His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid for receiving the winners. He praised the impact of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award, which, he said, was in line with the UAE’s aim to effectively contribute to providing solutions to global challenges.

“The UAE is synonymous with generosity through pioneering initiatives and projects that help underdeveloped societies face challenges and achieve sustainable development,” Al Tayer said. “We were pleased with the level of interest and participation in the award and the quality of innovations presented by companies, research centers, institutions and innovators worldwide.