the eWATER podcast

This episode examines what makes a water utility financially sustainable after the initial build. It explains the gap between capital spending for pipes, pumps and meters, and the ongoing operating costs needed to keep water flowing, arguing that many systems fail because they are funded for construction but not for long-term operation.

The episode lays out a practical model built on three things: metering every connection, collecting payments in ways customers can use, and using reliable data to track performance, repairs and revenue. It also cautions that the model only works when meters are dependable, payment is simple, and reporting is honest and verifiable. The central message is clear: ask for system-specific data before funding decisions are made, and use it to back models that can be sustained and scaled.

This episode introduces eWATER’s approach to keeping rural water systems working long after construction ends. It explains the problem of broken boreholes and abandoned infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa, then outlines eWATER’s operating model: owning responsibility for the full system, using prepaid smart taps, and funding ongoing maintenance through customer payments.

The episode also covers how the model scales through standard system design, government partnerships, and verified carbon credits that can help fund new installations. Rob Hygate describes the company’s long-term commitments, current countries of operation, and ambitious goal of reaching one million people by 2028 and ten million by 2035.