The Dutch-funded programme links social enterprises and local entrepreneurs with smart grids, digital meters, remote monitoring and mobile payments to test financially viable water services in rural Bangladesh.
Netherlands Ambassador Joris van Bommel visited Bangladesh’s southern Barishal district on 12-13 August to see smart and affordable piped-water solutions developed under the Building Water Business programme.
The programme is funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and implemented through Max TapWater, a social enterprise of Max Foundation and Max Social Enterprise.
The initiative demonstrates how small-scale rural piped-water networks can be commercially viable when operated by social enterprises and local entrepreneurs, using smart grids, digital metering, remote monitoring and mobile payments.
The visit focused on water solutions developed by Max Foundation and Max Social Enterprise under the programme.
It also highlighted the potential for public-private partnerships, showing how government, social enterprises and the private sector can work together to deliver sustainable and commercially viable water services.
The programme offers a promising pathway to bring safe and affordable water closer to every household in Bangladesh.
