CAWST: making water knowledge common knowledge
At the Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology—or CAWST (“cost”)—we believe everyone deserves safe drinking water. Yet, the reality is that over two billion people worldwide still don’t have access to it.
Since 2001, we’ve been working to change that by sharing the knowledge and tools communities need to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). As both a registered Canadian charity and a licensed professional engineering firm, we’re uniquely equipped to tackle the global water crisis from our headquarters in Calgary, Alberta.
Our vision is a world where all people have the opportunity to succeed because their basic water and sanitation needs have been met. Our mission is to provide technical training and consulting while acting as a centre of expertise in WASH for low- and middle-income countries.
Our impact and approach
We have a bold goal: to bring safe water, sanitation, or hygiene to 230 million people by 2030. Since our inception, CAWST has supported local organizations to help over 72 million people improve their water, sanitation, or hygiene.
Our approach is simple yet powerful. We teach people around the world how to get safe WASH into their homes, schools, and clinics using affordable technologies. We transform complex WASH research and technical knowledge into clear, practical information and make it freely available through the world’s largest online WASH resources library.
We specialize in empowering local leaders and decision-makers who can implement lasting change in their communities. When this happens, water knowledge—once inaccessible—quickly becomes common knowledge.
A multiplier effect for generations
We work with a diverse mix of organizations, including:
This approach creates a multiplier effect. Our partners have deep connections to their communities, and their local expertise ensures that knowledge spreads organically, benefiting generations to come. Decades of experience have taught us that the African proverb rings true:
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Why our work matters
The need for safe water and sanitation is urgent. Whether in:
Unsafe water and poor hygiene lead to illness, poverty, and lost opportunities. At CAWST, we are dedicated to ending this crisis. Until no one is forced to drink unsafe water or live without basic sanitation or hygiene, we’ll keep going.
Join us
Our work relies on the generous support of donors and institutions. Now, more than ever, it is the power of people that will make a lasting difference.
To learn more about how CAWST is making water knowledge common knowledge, visit cawst.org.
Donor Support Team
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