About 1001fontaines

1001fontaines is a French NGO established in 2004, dedicated to providing sustainable access to safe drinking water for vulnerable communities. Its innovative model is based on decentralized water kiosks that purify and distribute 20-liter bottles of safe water at affordable prices. This model combines social impact with economic sustainability, strengthening local capacities and fostering our partner’s long-term autonomy.

In Cambodia, this model is implemented by our local partner Teuk Saat 1001, a local NGO founded in 2007. Together, we have developed a sustainable network of kiosks, delivering high-quality service in collaboration with local authorities and communities. Today, more than one million people across Cambodia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Madagascar benefit from 1001fontaines’ services.

Project Background in Cambodia

The project began in Battambang in 2005 and now spans 18 of Cambodia’s 25 provinces. Teuk Saat 1001 oversees operations, ensuring territorial anchoring of the model and supporting these micro-enterprises under a franchise-like system, in exchange for a percentage of their sales.

Located in underserved rural areas, the water kiosks are run by local entrepreneurs recruited and trained by Teuk Saat 1001. They provide water treated according to WHO standards, packaged in 20L bottles, and distributed door-to-door at an affordable price. 1001fontaines supports the network through a dedicated team that offers strategic guidance, technical expertise, and operational tools, while fostering the involvement of financial and institutional partners.

Since 2020, the initiative has been financially self-sustaining at the operational level. Currently, 342 kiosks are active, serving over 1.3 million people, including one-third of children benefiting from our Water in School program, which offers free water access in nearby schools.