Home Solution Tulip Gravity-Fed Household Water Filter
Netherlands

Tulip Gravity-Fed Household Water Filter

Wastewater treatment and reuse

Provides clean drinking water in areas without reliable electricity or infrastructure.

Contact

Logo

Basic Water Needs BV

Company Established Year

Since 2008

Who is this solution for

Govt, Business, NGO

Info

Available

To sell

Project Status

In commerce

Looking to expand internationally

Yes

Doing business in

worldwide

Awards and certifications

Toekomstmakers Top 100 Innovation – Netherlands

2015

Selected as one of the 100 best Dutch innovations for Tulip Technology.

Solar Impulse Efficient Solution Label

2023

Awarded for Tulip gravity‑fed filter’s sustainable, profitable water purification impact.

Product description

The Tulip Gravity-Fed Household Water Filter is a revolutionary solution designed to provide clean drinking water in areas lacking reliable electricity or infrastructure. This low-cost filtration system utilizes ceramic, silver-impregnated media to effectively remove bacteria and protozoa, ensuring safe and potable water for households, schools, medical clinics, and communities at the base of the pyramid (BoP).

Unlike traditional water filters that require electricity or complex infrastructure, the Tulip filter operates on gravity, making it ideal for rural settings where access to power is limited. Its simple yet durable design eliminates the need for pumps or external power sources, offering a sustainable and long-lasting solution for water purification.

The Tulip filter has a high capacity, treating thousands of liters of water before requiring replacement. By providing clean water without the need for boiling, it contributes to significant CO₂ reductions, promoting environmental sustainability and reducing carbon emissions.

This innovative filtration system can be distributed through local micro-retailers or implemented through rent-to-own microfinance models, empowering communities to own and maintain their water filtration systems as sustainable livelihood tools.

With over 3 million people benefiting from clean water through Tulip filters across 25 countries, this solution has proven its effectiveness in improving health outcomes and supporting rural development. Additionally, the integration of solar-powered submersible pumps enhances water supply and irrigation capabilities in off-grid areas, further enhancing the impact of the Tulip filter system.

Key characteristics and environmental benefits

  • Gravity-fed design for easy operation in areas without electricity
  • Ceramic, silver-impregnated media effectively removes bacteria and protozoa
  • Long-lasting and low-cost solution for clean drinking water
  • Contributes to CO₂ reductions by eliminating the need to boil water
  • Distributed through local micro-retailers or rent-to-own microfinance models
  • Empowers communities with sustainable livelihood tools
  • Proven health impact and decarbonization outcomes in rural development
  • Solar-powered submersible pumps complement the filter system for water supply and irrigation
  • Simple design for easy use and minimal maintenance
  • Recognized by independent design and innovation programs for its effectiveness

About the Company

Basic Water Needs, founded in 2008 and based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, delivers affordable, safe drinking water globally through its Dutch-designed Tulip water filters and solar-powered pumps. Their products have reached over 3 million users in more than 25 countries, serving underserved communities in Africa, South Asia, and Latin America. Tulip filters are gravity-fed, durable, and filter thousands of liters without electricity or replacement parts. Their solar pumps enable clean irrigation, increasing agricultural productivity in rural areas. Each Tulip filter prevents approximately 0.4 to 1.7 tons of CO₂ annually, reducing carbon emissions and advancing climate goals. Basic Water Needs partners with local NGOs, micro-entrepreneurs, and government health agencies to scale access via affordable financing models, local distribution networks, and training. It bridges water, health, and environmental sustainability through simple, user-centered design and community-based models, with impact projects often generating verified carbon credits for clean water interventions.

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